Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, politician Omar Abdullah and several others came out in support of Mamata Banerjee
Support from opposition leaders poured in for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee whose sit-in over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scams continued on Monday.
On Sunday, an all-out war broke out between the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government, with the feisty West Bengal leader beginning her dharna in front of Metro Cinema in Kolkata over the issue.
Support for Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress chief, poured in even as the CBI moved the Supreme Court accusing the Kolkata Police chief of destroying evidence related to the case and him of indulging in contempt of court.
Supporting the West Bengal CM in her fight are leaders from across the country, including Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, politician Omar Abdullah, CM of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav, among several others.
On the other hand, many BJP leaders, including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, condemned the act.
Here's who has to say what!
1. Rahul Gandhi
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"I spoke with Mamata Di tonight and told her we stand shoulder to shoulder with her. The happenings in Bengal are a part of the unrelenting attack on India’s institutions by Mr Modi & the BJP. The entire opposition will stand together & defeat these fascist forces," said Rahul Gandhi
2. Arvind Kejriwal
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"Modi ji has made a complete mockery of democracy and federal structure. A few years back, Modi ji captured Anti- Corruption Branch of Del govt by sending paramilitary forces. Now, this. Modi-Shah duo is a threat to India and its democracy. We strongly condemn this action," the tweet by the Delhi CM read
3. N Chandrababu Naidu
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The AP CM condemned BJP of misusing institutions and victimising political opponents.
The minister took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "We strongly condemn the incidents happening in Kolkata, a glaring example of how Modi-Shah duo are destroying the institutions. Attacking political opponents in different States, few days before the Parliament elections commence, will have disastrous consequences in the country"
"This is shocking and we strongly condemn this. We stand by Chief Minister of West Bengal to preserve and protect constitution and spirit of federalism in the country. #SaveDemocracy" he added
4. Omar Abdullah
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Omar Abdullah too came out in support of Mamata Banejee. He said, "Just spoke to @MamataOfficial didi to convey the support of @JKNC_ as she sits in dharna. The use of the CBI as a political tool has crossed all limits as has the Modi government's misuse of institutions. A former CM having such little regard for India’s federalism is shocking"
5. MK Stalin
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DMK president MK Stalin said, "The independence of every institution has been compromised under this fascist BJP Government. I stand with @MamataOfficial Didi in her fight to protect the federal structure of this country and to save democracy. #SaveDemocracy"
6. Raj Thackeray
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Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray in a statement, as quoted by ANI said, "We applaud and support the stand taken by Mamata Banerjee against the autocracy and tyranny of the Central government. We firmly stand behind her and the fight against this tyranny"
7. Nirmala Sitharaman
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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on the other hand, condemned the dharna.
She said, "CBI has got to do its job or not? When CBI does it, it's a political vendetta, when it doesn't do it, it's a caged parrot. Let them make up their minds"
8. GVL Narasimha Rao
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BJP minister, GVL Narasimha Rao said that the incident taking place in Kolkata is 'unfortunate'.
He said, "Mamata Banerjee wants to protect the corrupt in her state, like a dictator. She is obstructing an investigation of CBI which was there as per SC order. She is shredding apart the constitution. We condemn this."
"CBI is working as per directions of SC, no state govt has the power to obstruct or detain them. It's unconstitutional and undemocratic...We hope SC gives a direction to WB govt, keeping this incident in view otherwise no agency will be able to work in this country," he added
9. Shahnawaz Hussain
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Shahnawaz Hussain too has called the act 'unconstitutional'.
He said, "CBI is investigating certain cases in Bengal under the direction of the Supreme Court. For the state to prevent CBI from doing its duty is clearly unconstitutional on many counts"
10. Rajnath Singh
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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh criticised Mamata Banerjee government for staging a protest.
He said that the action of CBI visiting Kolkata police chief's residence was taken after SC had ordered an investigation into Saradha chit fund case.
"The Police Commissioner was summoned many times but he did not appear," he said
Singh also apprised West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi about the "unfortunate and unprecedentedsituation.
He told him of the situation of officers of a "Central Investigating Agency being manhandled, detained, intimidated and obstructed."
"The incident in Kolkata is a threat to the federal political system of the country. Centre has the power to maintain normalcy in any part of the country," Singh said
11. Smriti Irani
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While taking a dim view of the situation, Union Minister Smriti Irani said, "The fact that paramilitary forces had to be deployed for the protection of those officers, who were diligently doing their duty, is for the first time an unprecedented view given to the citizen with regards to the state of anarchy in the WestBengal"
12. Prakash Javadekar
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"Ye Mamata ji ki emergency hai Bengal mein. Hamari nahi hai, Mamata ji ki hai," said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday.
"Opposition parties have supported Mamata Banerjee. Who are these people? They are out on bail. Such people are standing together. This is not Mahagathbandhan, they are divided by vision and united by corruption. The corrupt are standing together," he added.
"Whatever is happening in Kolkata and West Bengal is one of a kind. Never before was an investigating team taken into custody by police. It's murder of democracy. We want to ask Mamata Banerjee why is she staging dharna? who does she want to shield? Police Commissioner or herself?" Javadekar further said
