While TMC Supremo and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is in Delhi holding a closed-door meeting with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, CID teams back home have launched a coordinated crackdown, simultaneously descending on the former CM’s residence and the Camac Street office of her nephew and key political heir, MP Abhishek Banerjee.
CID probe linked to alleged fake signatures in Assembly
The CID visit is believed to be linked to allegations of fake signatures in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. The agency is investigating a complaint against Abhishek Banerjee over a letter sent to the Assembly Secretariat regarding the party’s choice for the Leader of the Opposition.
TMC signature row
Some rebel TMC MLAs have claimed that their signatures on the letter were forged and that they never signed it. The CID has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the matter. Handwriting samples of some MLAs have already been collected.
Internal rift in TMC
This is not only a legal issue. It has also exposed a divide within the TMC. Several MLAs have spoken against the party leadership. Some have accused the party of using their names and signatures without permission. The MLAs who filed the complaint were later expelled from the party, making the conflict even deeper.
Mamata Banerjee meets Sonia Gandhi amid political crisis
The timing of these developments has made the situation more dramatic. While CID officials were visiting Abhishek Banerjee’s residence in Kolkata, he and Mamata Banerjee were in Delhi for important political meetings. Mamata Banerjee was meeting Sonia Gandhi and trying to show opposition unity at the national level, while her party in Bengal was facing a serious internal crisis.
According to reports, the CID has given Abhishek Banerjee a 24-hour notice. He had earlier not responded to a summons, saying that he was unwell and busy with programmes in Delhi. His legal team has also moved the Calcutta High Court, seeking protection from any strict action by the CID.
The development comes after another major incident. On May 30, protesters allegedly attacked Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur. Eggs and shoes were reportedly thrown at him. His clothes were torn, and he had to wear a helmet for safety. Later, he said that because of health problems caused by the incident, he would not appear before the CID.
Abhishek Banerjee is also facing another case. A cybercrime FIR was recently filed over his alleged inflammatory election speeches. As a result, he is facing pressure from many sides. Police investigations, internal party rebellion, court cases, and growing political pressure have all added to his problems.
TMC faces one of its biggest internal challenges
The situation is also becoming difficult for Mamata Banerjee. While she is trying to bring opposition parties together at the national level, her own party in Bengal is facing one of its biggest internal challenges in recent years.
