Coal scam case: Won't bow down my head, says Abhishek Banerjee after ED's 8-hour grilling
New Delhi/IBNS: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday maintained his apparent stoicism after his eight-hour long quizzing by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged coal scam ended.
Speaking to reporters, Banerjee said, "I was summoned for the second time. I stand by my words which I have said a year ago. I will embrace death penalty if the allegations against me are proved correct."
"I will not bow down before the ED and CBI," the 34-year-old leader added.
Banerjee's wife Rujira Banerjee will also appear before the ED, which has summoned the couple.
Alleging a nexus between the investigating agencies and the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) without taking the saffron party's name, Banerjee on Monday said, "Let me tell all who are trying to fulfill their interests using ED and CBI, that I am a different material. I will be more determined with all these."
Banerjee was earlier grilled by the ED in New Delhi last year after the conclusion of the crucial West Bengal assembly election, which was won convincingly by the TMC, a regional satrap led by Banerjee's aunt and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"A party as big as BJP does not need any ED or CBI to win elections,” said BJP state spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya countering Banerjee.
Meanwhile, the Banerjee couple on Monday moved the Supreme Court challenging the ED's jurisdiction in probing into the case linked to the alleged coal scam.
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