CBI being used for political vendetta: Trinamool MP

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress today created uproar in Rajya Sabha alleging political vendetta in West Bengal Minister Madan Mitra's arrest in the Saradha scam, prompting the government to assert that CBI was acting independently in the case and it had no role in it.

"There is no question of government or any political leader interfering," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after TMC raised the issue as soon as the House met for the day.

"The case is being monitored by Supreme Court. CBI acts independently in the case and reports to the Supreme Court. Government has nothing to do in the matter," he said.

Raising the issue, Derek O'Brien (TMC) said CBI was being used for political vendetta.

Without naming anyone, he said the president of a political party is "writing the script for CBI."

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked him not to name any person who cannot defend himself in the House.

"CBI is being used for political vendetta. I have given notice" for suspension of business to raise the issue, O'Brien said.

AIADMK members too were in the Well protesting against a question in a railway recruitment exam about former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa having to relinquish her office after arrest in a DA case.

They shouted slogans against the question. Jaitley said he will bring to the notice of the Railway Minister the issue raised by AIADMK members and get "propriety or impropriety" examined.

Both TMC and AIADMK members trooped into the Well raising slogans soon after the House met for the day.

Kurien asked them to go back to their places and allowed A Navaneethakrishnan (AIADMK) to raise his issue.

Navaneethakrishnan said it was "highly improper" to include a question on Jayalalithaa in the examination.

Kurien then allowed O'Brien to raise his issue, after which Jaitley responded.