In a development that could work as a face-saver for the BJP, the Central Bureau of Investigation summoned for questioning former Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chattejree who recently left the Trinamool Congress to join the saffron outfit.
Chatterjee, a former Man Friday of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who called her by a pet name ‘Kanan, has been asked to appear before the investigation officers at its Nizam Palace office on Saturday, CBI sources said.
Chatterjee’s summon is likely to provide the BJP a face-saving argument silencing the critics who wondered why the tainted Opposition leaders were only summoned and the ones who join the BJP are spared.
Apart from Chatterjee, the CBI has also summoned Aparupa Poddar, TMC MP from Arambagh. Poddar has been asked to appear before the CBI investigators on Monday in connection to the Narada payoff case, sources said.
“I will definitely appear and cooperate with the officials if I am asked to do so. I will visit their office as many time as I am asked to do,” she said.
Reacting to Chatterjee’s case State BJP president Dilip Ghosh however said that anyone who is summoned did not become guilty. “No one is guilty only for the fact that he or she has been summoned. Let Sovan babu face the CBI,” he said.