TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. (File photo/ANI)
Banerjee claimed that while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was questioning her, the BJP leaders were “busy hosting parties in the hope of getting her arrested”.
Days after being called for questioning by the CBI in connection with the school job scam, senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee insisted that “threats by central agencies” cannot deter him from public service.
Speaking at a workers’ convention in West Bengal’s Bankura district late on Monday night, the TMC national general secretary challenged the BJP to “fight in the people’s court instead of using the shield of central agencies”.
“BJP uses central agencies to fight against me. Such threats and intimidation using CBI and ED against me will not deter me from public service or reaching out to the public. If they (BJP) have power, I challenge them to fight me in the people’s court.
Banerjee claimed that while she was being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the BJP leader was “busy throwing a feast with the expectation of getting her arrested”.
He said, “During my nine-and-a-half-hour interrogation on Saturday, BJP leaders were spreading rumors that the CBI would arrest me and they were celebrating, but as soon as I came out, their hopes were dashed.”
The Diamond Harbor MP challenged the central agency to “arrest him if there is any evidence of corruption or misconduct”.
“If you have any evidence against me then arrest me. I challenge you (CBI and ED) that you cannot even touch my hair because I have not done anything wrong.
Banerjee on Monday resumed her public relations campaign ‘Trinamool-e Nabojowar’ (New wave in Trinamool) from Bankura district. He suspended it for two days after he was summoned by the CBI in connection with the school job scam.
“Freedom from fear is the freedom I claim for you my motherland! They tried with all their might to obstruct #Trinamoolnabojowar but staying firm on my commitment to the welfare of the people, I stood firm Bankura, thank you for joining the #JonoSanjogYatra again. The journey has begun anew!” he tweeted.
Banerjee launched her statewide campaign from Coochbehar district on 25 April ahead of the panchayat elections. He is seeking feedback from the general public on the choice of candidates for nomination in the election.
Banerjee, after being questioned by the CBI on Saturday, had said it was a waste of her time and efforts of the probe agency’s officials, but insisted that she cooperated fully with them.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,