Trinamool distances from arrested minister Partha Chatterjee, scandal

Trinamool Congress leadership seems to be distancing itself from the issue of the arrest of West Bengal minister and party secretary general Partha Chatterjee and recovery of more than Rs 21 crore by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday.

Trinamool spokesman Kunal Ghosh denied any association of the party or the state government with the development and recovery of cash, ornaments and several documents from the residence of Chatterjee’s close aide Arpita Mukherjee.

“We came to know about the recovery of money from ED’s tweet and statements. We are yet to receive the other side’s version,” he said. “Neither Trinamool Congress nor the state government has any connection with the cash recovery by the ED.


Trinamool has no connection with the person from whose house money has been recovered.”

He said the party leadership is “keeping an eye on the developments”. “If the accusations against Chatterjee are proved in court, the Trinamool leadership will take action on the issue,” Ghosh added.

Political observers told ET that Ghosh’s statements were a clear indication that the party leadership has started distancing itself from the entire issue.

That the party is distancing itself became evident when the arrested minister said, “I could not contact Trinamool Supremo while trying to get in touch with him."

Trinamool leaders said they have full faith in judiciary and strict action will be taken if anyone is found guilty. They also highlighted that Arpita Mukherjee has no links with the party.

Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, minister Firhad Hakim and some other leaders held a meeting at Camac Street office on Saturday.

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim alleged, “Partha Chatterjee has not joined BJP and thus he has been victim of conspiracy. Same was my case and I was also arrested.” He added that the party has full faith on judiciary. Meanwhile, opposition BJP, Congress and CPI-M attacked Trinamool over the issue.

“Bengal has a rich culture and known as the land for Ma Saraswati. Scams are increasing in Bengal and people are in dire distress,” Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is in Kolkata, said.