Alleging a larger political conspiracy ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP of using central agencies to engineer “horse-trading” of MLAs after the election results.
Speaking at a public rally in Manickchak, Malda, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo claimed that the timing of the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was not coincidental but politically motivated.
“Do you know why the ED is issuing summonses starting right now? They are telling these individuals: ‘If you win and if we fall short of seats, you must cast your votes in our favour,’” Mamata alleged.
The remarks come amid increased activity by central agencies in the state. Three prominent leaders of the TMC—Sujit Bose, Rathin Ghosh, and Debasish Kumar—are currently facing multiple investigations.
Bidhannagar candidate Sujit Bose and Madhyamgram candidate Rathin Ghosh have been summoned by the ED in connection with an alleged municipal recruitment scam. Meanwhile, Rashbehari candidate Debasish Kumar has been questioned three times this week in a land encroachment case.
Breaking her silence after days of speculation, Mamata launched a sharp attack on what she described as an “unholy nexus” between central agencies and the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Without naming individuals directly, she also targeted “Motabhai”—a term often used in political discourse to refer to Union Home Minister Amit Shah—accusing them of attempting to influence the post-election political landscape through intimidation.
According to Mamata, the use of investigative agencies is part of a broader strategy to manipulate electoral outcomes even after votes are counted.
Accusing the BJP of indulging in political vendetta, Mamata said, “What exactly is the job of the ED, the CBI, and ‘Motabhai’? To strike people's names off voter lists, to sell off Bengal, and to sow discord among government officers.”
She further alleged that those in power were disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens.
“Do those who rise to power by instigating riots truly understand the suffering of the common people? They offer nothing but hollow deception,” she said, terming the government at the Centre “diabolical.”
Mamata’s remarks underscore the intensifying political battle between the ruling TMC and the BJP ahead of the state elections. While the Centre has consistently denied allegations of misusing investigative agencies, opposition parties have repeatedly raised concerns over the timing of such actions, particularly during election periods.
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