Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is “opening the door” for the BJP to expand in the state. He made the remarks while campaigning for the second phase of elections at a public meeting in Srirampur, Hooghly district.
Gandhi said the Enforcement Directorate questioned him for 55 hours over five days, and asked how many hours Banerjee had been questioned. He claimed neither the ED nor the CBI had conducted any inquiry against the Chief Minister, alleging it was because she does not directly confront the BJP.
Referring to his own legal troubles, Gandhi said he is currently out on bail and that his house and MP position were taken away. He said 36 cases have been filed against him, forcing him to travel every 10–15 days to states including Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar for hearings.
He further claimed that only the Congress opposes the BJP on ideological grounds, and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacks him and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge constantly, while criticising Banerjee mainly during election time. Gandhi also alleged that jobs in West Bengal are available only to those connected to the Trinamool Congress, and accused Banerjee of working for party strongmen and cadres.
Gandhi concluded by alleging corruption against both Modi and Banerjee, reiterating that Banerjee’s actions have enabled the BJP’s entry into West Bengal and that the BJP would not have been able to “infiltrate” if she had worked for people’s welfare.
