West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee she is living at her current residence as a tenant on lease and her property can be bulldozed if it is found that she has encroached upon the property.
Referring to allegations levelled by a channel that she has illegally occupied the land, the Trinamool Congress chief said she has asked the West Bengal Chief Secretary to investigate the allegations and if those are found to be true, then the entire property can be bulldozed.
“A channel has accused me of having illegally occupied the land. I have no knowledge of it. We live in Kalighat on (19th-century zamindar and philanthropist) Rani Rashmoni’s land. We’re all tenants on lease. In CSC meeting today, I told my Chief Secretary to investigate (the matter). If it is proved that I have encroached upon any property or helped someone in doing that, it can be bulldozed,” Mamata said.
Mamata further hit out at the BJP for alleging coal scam proceeds were going to Kalighat (her residence) but added that the party hasn’t named anyone.
“Is the money going to Maa Kali,” the CM asked.
Mamata lives in Kolkata’s Kalighat area, which is famous for its Kali temple
She further stated that if any of her family members get notices from central agencies, she will fight those legally.
“…though it has become tough these days (to fight such notices legally). I have faith in the judiciary,” she added.
The TMC supremo’s remarks came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued fresh summons to her nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee. The latter has been asked to appear on Friday before ED officers who are probing the alleged coal smuggling scam.
A public interest litigation was recently filed in the Calcutta High Court, alleging a meteoric rise in the assets of relatives of the West Bengal CM Banerjee in recent years. The PIL demanded a probe by a central agency into the matter.
