'Vendetta Politics' Vs 'Unfounded Claims': TMC Cries Foul As CBI Raids Mahua Moitra's Premises, BJP Hits Back

TMC accused the BJP of exploiting central agencies before the Lok Sabha polls to intimidate the Opposition.

Security personnel guard as CBI conducts searches at office of Mahua Moitra at Krishnanagar, in Nadia district, Saturday

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) denounced the CBI raids conducted on the properties of party leader Mahua Moitra, linking them to what they describe as "vendetta politics" orchestrated by the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

According to a report by PTI, the central agency carried out searches on Saturday at various locations, including Kolkata, related to former TMC MP Moitra, in connection with an alleged cash-for-query case.

Teams from the central probe agency arrived at Moitra's residence in Kolkata and other cities early Saturday and initiated the search proceedings.

Senior TMC leader Santanu Sen criticised the raids, saying, "This is an attempt to divert public and media attention from pressing issues. The BJP seems to be recognising growing public dissatisfaction and is resorting to all available means to alter the narrative. This is a blatant example of vendetta politics."

READ | CBI Searches TMC Leader Mahua Moitra's Residence In Connection With Alleged Cash-For-Query Case

He accused the BJP of exploiting central agencies before the Lok Sabha polls to intimidate the Opposition.

Sen further said, "During the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the BJP is deploying its most trusted allies, the CBI and ED, to conduct raids on our candidates. The Election Commission must investigate."

The West Bengal BJP hit back, refuting the accusations as “unfounded”.

Samik Bhattacharya, spokesperson for the West Bengal BJP, said, "Whenever the ED or CBI conducts raids on TMC leaders, they cry foul and allege political motivations. Moitra's actions are a disgrace to democracy. The truth is that the TMC is deeply entangled in corruption, with nearly every leader facing allegations of corruption."

Notably, Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha last year after a parliamentary panel found her guilty in the alleged cash-for-query case.

Moitra herself has termed the raids as “vendetta politics” aimed at silencing her voice in the House.