Kolkata, February 4: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday ended her sit-in to protest against the CBI’s attempt to question Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with its probe into the ponzi scheme scam after the “positive” apex court verdict.
She also announced a meeting of opposition leaders in the national capital next week.
Banerjee had begun her “Save Constitution” dharna on Sunday evening after a team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials showed up near the Loudon Street residence of the Kolkata Police chief and were taken away by state police personnel.
Terming her dharna a victory for the “people, country and democracy”, she said she was ending it as requested by senior opposition party leaders after the Supreme Court verdict.
“I have decided (to end the dharna) because of the requests from all the political parties. I have no problem. I have previously done 26 day-hunger strike here. I have also done 14 days dharna in Singur also. But we have got the justice from at least one democratic institution.
“This dharna was not a political agitation. It was an agitation to save India and India’s democracy. Let us end it today because the Supreme Court gave a very positive verdict. It was verdict of the people, by the people, for the people,” Banerjee announced from the dais with her Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu by her side.
Hearing the case on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had ruled that Rajeev Kumar could be questioned by the probe agency but it could not arrest him or use any coercive action against him.
Banerjee said the officer concerned has already initiated proceedings to meet the central agency at a mutually agreed place as per the judgment.
She said she would attend an opposition party meeting to be held in Delhi next week, adding that it could be held on February 13-14 but the decision was yet to be taken.
‘Histrionics’
Union Minister Smriti Irani said Banerjee’s political histrionics have been brought to a screeching halt by the Supreme Court.
Taking a swipe at Banerjee after she claimed a moral victory following the court’s order, Irani said the West Bengal chief minister has been left with egg on her face.
“With egg on her face, to celebrate it as a moral victory is a dichotomy available only to Mamata Banerjee’s realm of politics,” the BJP leader told reporters.
Irani said the Supreme Court had ensured that a free and fair investigation takes place.
The order should be a matter of introspection and concern for her, she added. Agencies
