‘Limits crossed’: Mamata lashes out at Modi govt after ED raids Jyotipriya Mullick’s residence

Mamata Banerjee, who usually avoids politics over the holidays, broke with tradition on Thursday and attacked the Narendra Modi administration after an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on senior minister Jyotipriya Mullick's Dwadoshi home.

The chief minister of Bengal, who pauses politics annually between Mahalaya and Bhai Phonta or Jagaddhatri Puja, threatened to file formal complaints with the BJP and the ED if Mullick, who has been ill for some time, was subjected to such "harassment."

Mamata said on Thursday afternoon, hours after the ED started the searches as part of an investigation into suspected corruption in the state's public distribution system, that "I am addressing the press now as all limits have been surpassed."

Mullick, the minister of forests today, served as the minister of supply and food before.

"The carnivals are keeping all of the ministries and leaders occupied. Bengal continues to be joyous. But this morning, when people went to welcome Balu (Mullick) for Bijoya, they found the ED conducting a raid at his home," the chief minister stated.

It was Mamata's first press conference since her September 23 return from her vacation to Spain and the United Arab Emirates. Since September 24, when she visited SSKM Hospital for a check-up due to a leg injury, she has been restricted to her home per medical recommendation. She has only made a few virtual public appearances for Puja-related programs.

The only purpose of the Thursday media event was to denounce the ED searches, which followed weeks of such raids on the homes of current Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim and Food and Supplies Minister Rathin Ghosh.

Mamata also said that the central agencies were intimidating her family and friends. She gave the example of her brother, Amit Banerjee, who is the father of Abhishek, being questioned about his son going all the way back to when Abhishek wasn't even born, in 1981–1982.

"What is left of the (state) government if they (central agencies) now raid the homes of all our ministers? The BJP is just courting a very painful reprisal in their filthy game if they believe they can use such tactics to silence all opposition figures. Mamata said, "They are pathological liars."

The agencies cannot act in this way in the absence of sufficient proof, according to the Supreme Court. You are breaking into ministers' and leaders' homes every morning. Not only here, but all throughout the nation," she said.

Mamata made a demand to find out whether a BJP politician suspected of corruption had ever been searched by the federal agency.

"Some of their leaders portray themselves as loving everyone and upholding the concept of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" when they go overseas. Instead, they follow "Sabka Saath, Sabka Satyanash" across the nation, she said.

A common phrase used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas."

In the run-up to important elections over the next few months, the leader of the Trinamul Congress said that all of this was being done by the saffron administration with the intention of unseating the anti-BJP forces.

She showed support for her Rajasthani counterpart Ashok Gehlot, a candidate for reelection this year, who is running for the Congress.

Even if Asok Gehlot does not belong to my party, why are they raiding his son's home just before the election? Before the elections, do you want to break into everyone's homes?" she questioned.

"We're not against you fighting against us politically, but please stop being pathological liars and engaging in vindictive politics," she said. "I shall implore the Prime Minister to kindly guarantee the preservation of cooperative federalism."

Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP said that Mamata had essentially retired, allowing her nephew and heir apparent Abhishek to take over, but that she continued to defend "thieves" in public whenever it seemed like action against them was about to take place.

According to Adhikari, the head of the opposition in the Assembly, "the people want to see arrests, not raids."

Under Trinamul leadership, the system has become fundamentally corrupt, according to CPM state secretary Md Salim.