CBI arrest of TMC leaders in Narada case sparks outrage, Mamata camps at Nizam Palace

Firhad Hakim and Subrata Mukherjee, the two top level ministers in the Mamata Banerjee government, and key lawmaker Madan Mitra along with former Kolkata Mayor and ex-minister Sovan Chatterjee were arrested on Monday morning.

In a show of support, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee reached the CBI office at Nizam Palace at around 10:50 am. Not sparing a word, she went inside and reportedly asked the CBI officials about why her lawmakers were arrested unlawfully.

Banerjee, as per reports, had asked the CBI officials to arrest her.

Mamata Banerjee reaching Nizam Palace

The ruling party as well as West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee called the arrests "unlawful".

Biman Banerjee said his permission was required for the CBI to arrest any lawmaker while the same was done with the green signal from Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.

The TMC has also accused the Centre's ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has recently lost the assembly elections heavily, of playing "vendetta politics".

Questions are raised on why other accused in the case, Mukul Roy, Suvendu Adhikari and Shanku Deb Panda, who have switched from the TMC to BJP, are spared from the arrests.

"This is an unlawful arrest. As the BJP lost the elections, the Governor is a blood sucker of the TMC leaders. The Governor has become vindictive," said TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee.

Despite welcoming the arrests of the TMC leaders, the same question has been raised by Narada News editor Mathew Samuel, who led the sting operation where a line of politicians were allegedly seen accepting bribes.

Samuel said, "I came to know that some of the senior TMC ministers, Subrata Mukherjee and Bobby (Firhad) Hakim, have been arrested in the Narada case. This is the long awaited justice... My question is what happened to Suvendu Adhikari? What happened to him?

"He also received money from me and it was recorded and handed over to the CBI. What happened to him? Justice has to go to everyone in the same manner."

Staying away from commenting on the arrests, West Bengal BJP chief spokesperson, Shamik Bhattacharya, said, "People are tired of hearing the theories regarding the arrests. The BJP is not linked to any action taken by the CBI."

Following the arrests, TMC supporters took to streets to protest violating the anti-Covid-19 lockdown protocols. Almost the entire state is witnessing massive protests by the TMC supporters.

A massive crowd swelled outside the CBI headquarters at the Nizam Palace and also threw bricks, stones, and shoes at the central police.

Expressing concern over the situation, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is at the loggerheads with the state government, tweeted, "Concerned at alarming situation. Call upon @MamataOfficial to follow constitutional norms & rule of law. Police @WBPolice @KolkataPolice @HomeBengal must take all steps to maintain law & order. Sad- situation is being allowed to drift with no tangible action by authorities."

"Message @MamataOfficial 'Total lawlessness & anarchy. Police and administration in silence mode. Hope you realize repercussions of such lawlessness and failure of constitutional mechanism. Time to reflect and contain this explosive situation that is worsening minute by minute.'"

"Invited attention @MamataOfficial 'On channels and in public domain I notice arson and pelting of stones at CBI office. Pathetic that Kolkata Police @KolkataPolice and West Bengal Police @WBPolice are just onlookers. Appeal to you to act and restore law and order.'"

TMC MP and party de facto number two, Abhishek Banerjee has urged all people to show restraint amid the Covid-19 lockdown. 

Abhishek tweeted, "I urge everyone to abide by the law & refrain from any activity that violates lockdown norms for the sake of the larger interest of Bengal and its people. We have utmost faith in the judiciary & the battle will be fought legally."