CBI Questions TMC Leader Abhishek for More Than 9 Hours Over School Jobs Scam
On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee for over 9 hours in connection with a school jobs scam. This is the first time that the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been grilled by the CBI in the case.
The scam in question involves the recruitment of teachers and other staff in several primary schools in the state. It is alleged that some TMC leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, were involved in the scam and had received kickbacks from the accused.
Abhishek Banerjee, who is also a Member of Parliament from Diamond Harbour, has denied any involvement in the case. In a statement released after the questioning, he said that he had cooperated with the CBI and answered all their queries to the best of his ability.
“I have nothing to hide and I have done nothing wrong. I have full faith in the legal process and I am confident that the truth will come out,” he said.
The TMC has also strongly defended Abhishek Banerjee, with senior party leader Derek O’Brien accusing the BJP of using the CBI for political purposes. “Abhishek Banerjee has answered all the questions put to him. The BJP is doing this out of political vendetta. They are trying to intimidate the opposition,” he said.
The CBI, however, has said that it is only following due process and that the investigation is being conducted impartially. “We are conducting a fair and impartial investigation. We are not trying to harass anyone. We are only following the evidence and we will take action against whoever is found guilty,” a CBI official said.
The questioning of Abhishek Banerjee comes at a time when the TMC is facing a tough challenge from the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. The BJP has been targeting the TMC over issues of corruption and law and order in the state.
The TMC, on the other hand, has accused the BJP of trying to create a “state of fear” in the state by using central agencies like the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target its leaders.
The school jobs scam is just one of several corruption cases that have been registered against TMC leaders in recent months. The ED is also probing allegations of money laundering against Abhishek Banerjee’s wife, Rujira Banerjee.
In conclusion, the CBI’s questioning of Abhishek Banerjee in the school jobs scam case shows that the investigation into corruption allegations against TMC leaders is progressing. However, the political implications of the case cannot be ignored, with the BJP and the TMC locked in a bitter battle for power in West Bengal.