ED Raids In West Bengal: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting raids on the premises of West Bengal minister and TMC leader Sujit Bose in Kolkata in connection with the alleged municipality jobs scam, news agency PTI reported. The central agency is also conducting searches at the premises of TMC leader Tapas Roy who is Minister of State for Planning and Statistics in West Bengal, according to PTI.




Speaking to news agency ANI, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Legislative Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari hit out at the TMC leader saying, "There will be ED raids in a thief's home. Sujit Bose is involved in the South Dumdum Municipality recruitment scam... Tapas Roy is also involved in the Baranagar Municipality recruitment scam. The youth and the people of Bengal want them to go behind the bars."



TMC State General Secretary Kunal Ghosh slammed the BJP over the 'thieves" remark as well as the central agency's action saying, "What ED is doing is a politically vindictive attitude and it is happening on BJP's instructions. BJP has lost and they have no power to face the TMC. Hence they are misusing the agencies... Suvendhu is a thief. CBI has registered an FIR against him. BJP released his video in the market. BJP called him a thief..."



West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose On Attacks On ED Teams


The raids come in the wake of tensions surrounding the recent attack on an ED team during a search operation at the residence of Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkali. The ED, accompanied by security personnel, faced an attack on January 5 while probing the multi-crore ration distribution case.


West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose shed light on the state government's response to the ongoing investigations, stating, "The meeting of the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary was as directed by the Chief Minister. What they conveyed to me, as I considered the opinion of the Government on certain burning issues which are vexing us these days, particularly in the background of the harassment of the ED. They have given me some valuable input. Since the investigation is going on, I would like to keep it confidential," as quoted by ANI.



Responding to queries about the delay in arresting Sheikh Sahajahan in connection with the attack on the ED team, Governor CV Ananda Bose remarked, "My statement is on record. The reasons why it is delayed have been explained to me. I am convinced. Since the investigation is going on, I don't want to reveal the details... Action will be there. This is fact-finding, data gathering, analysing time is over, action will be there."


ALSO READ | US, UK Strike Houthi Targets In Yemen, Biden Calls It 'Defensive Action' Against Attacks In Red Sea


Bengal BJP Protests Attack On ED Teams


In a parallel development, a rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal's Nazat area to protest the attack on the ED team faced intervention from the police on Thursday. State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar led the rally, which was stopped by the police in North 24 Parganas district, news agency IANS reported.


A scuffle ensued between BJP supporters and the police as the latter imposed Section 144 in a 1 km radius around Nazat Police Station to prevent the rally from reaching its intended destination. Sukanta Majumdar, along with his supporters, initiated a sit-in demonstration after being stopped, alleging that women police personnel were deliberately placed in the front to frame male party workers later, according to IANS.


Majumdar further accused the absconding Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, allegedly the 'mastermind' behind the attack on the ED team, of hiding under the protection of West Bengal police. He questioned the role of the police during the attack on ED and CAPF officials, demanding an explanation for their absence at the time


Subscribe And Follow ABP Live On Telegram: https://t.me/officialabplive