kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s name has come into the political spotlight following the Enforcement Directorate’s claims in connection with alleged financial irregularities surrounding Durga Puja preview passes. The central investigating agency has claimed that money from a company linked to former minister Indranil Sen was transferred to an account associated with Mamata Banerjee. Following the ED’s statement, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh launched a sharp political attack on Banerjee.

Reacting to the development, Ghosh alleged that Banerjee had projected herself as a symbol of honesty while others around her were made to face the consequences. “She presented herself as the symbol of honesty and framed everyone else. This can no longer continue,” Ghosh said while commenting on the ED’s claims.

Indranil Sen has been at the centre of discussion over the past several days following allegations of large-scale financial irregularities linked to pre-Puja passes and preview events. His wife and several other individuals have also reportedly come under the scanner in connection with the investigation.

On Thursday, the ED posted details related to the case on its official X handle. According to the agency’s claims, a substantial amount of money was allegedly collected in the name of Puja passes over a period of nearly three years beginning in 2022. The investigating agency has alleged that the money was subsequently used for personal purposes.

The ED has also alleged irregularities in the awarding of several government tenders worth more than Rs 85 crore. According to the agency, these contracts were allegedly awarded in violation of established procedures to companies linked to individuals described as close associates of Indranil Sen.

The agency has further claimed that more than Rs 3.8 crore in cash was deposited into the bank account of Octave Records, a company owned by Indranil Sen. The ED has said that around Rs 30 lakh was subsequently transferred from the company’s account to an account associated with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The agency’s statement has triggered a fresh political confrontation in West Bengal. While the ED has highlighted the alleged financial transactions as part of its ongoing investigation, the political interpretation of those transactions has become a major point of contention between the ruling Trinamool Congress and its opponents.

Dilip Ghosh sharply criticised Mamata Banerjee over the development. He alleged that while several leaders and ministers associated with her government had faced legal action, Banerjee had managed to remain untouched by such allegations for a long period.

Ghosh further claimed that the latest developments could bring previously undisclosed aspects of the alleged financial transactions to light. He also used the political metaphor of wearing a raincoat while taking a shower, alleging that Banerjee had remained insulated from the controversies surrounding members of her party and government.

According to Ghosh, the alleged irregularities have affected the image of several leaders and ministers and he claimed that Banerjee’s political strategy of remaining away from such controversies would not continue indefinitely. These remarks are part of the political reaction to the ED investigation and represent Ghosh’s allegations against the former Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh defended Mamata Banerjee over the reported transfer of money. Responding to the issue, Ghosh said that Banerjee is not only a writer but also writes songs and composes music. He claimed that there was an agreement between Banerjee and Indranil Sen’s organisation and that the payment was made in accordance with that agreement.

The contrasting statements have added another layer to the political debate surrounding the ED investigation. While the central agency is examining the alleged financial transactions, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh has used the development to target Mamata Banerjee politically, whereas Kunal Ghosh has offered an explanation for the reported payment and rejected the political interpretation being attached to it.

The ED investigation remains ongoing and the allegations made by the agency, as well as the competing political claims surrounding the transactions, will have to be assessed through the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.