Banners of revolt continued to unfurl in the ruling Trinamool Congress with Rajarhat MlA Sabyasachi Dutta on Saturday going against the official party line to justify CBI action in the Saradha chit fund case, saying “wherever there is smoke there has to be some fire.” Reacting to powers Dutta said, “there is no point crying hoarse against CBI action as the CBI cannot proceed indefinitely against persons against whose there is no evidence at all. There must be something against these leaders which is why they are being summoned.”
On his excellent relationship with Kunal Ghosh he said, “I had always enjoyed good relation with Kunal Ghosh but he has never taken my name. It is clear that the CBI will chase only those who have something to do with the scam.” He added “wherever there is smoke there has to be fire.” Dutta’s statement is seen as a direct affront against the party’s topmost brass including Mamata Banerjee, Mukul Roy and leaders close to them. On whether he was planning to cross corners he said, “at present I am a member of the Trinamool Congress.”
Meanwhile, the Trinamool on Saturday welcomed a “surprise remark” from BJP leader Kirti Azad praising Mamata Banerjee. Azad who had come to play cricket in Kolkata said he had always enjoyed good chemistry with Banerjee as “my father also considered her as a daughter” adding he personally believed that the Chief Minister was honest. Probes did take place but in previous cases also many politicians had been exonerated and so he believed that Banerjee would also be exonerated.
Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien “welcomed” the statement saying “this is a good thing that truth came out. We will remember this.”