CPI(M) Questions Mamata Banerjee's Silence Over Sting On Trinamool Leaders

New Delhi:

CPI(M) today questioned the "complete silence" of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the sting video purportedly showing three Trinamool Congress ministers and some party lawmakers and legislators as accepting bribes from a fictitious firm saying it "proves high-level of corruption" in the state.

Attacking Ms Banerjee on the issue, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury reminded the West Bengal chief minister that she had quit the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government when a similar sting video was released in 2001.

Alleging "corrupt ways" by Trinamool, Mr Yechury reiterated the recent sting only reaffirms that making money the poor people of Bengal is a norm for the government.

In his Facebook post, Mr Yechury also welcomed reported remarks by former state election commission chief Mira Pande that EC should take adequate measures for fair polls and "restoring" democracy in West Bengal.

"We endorse her (Pande's) call and expect EC to take notice of corrupt and violent campaign being run by TMC. We hope it will act strongly against the ruling party. A free and fair election is the least the voters of West Bengal deserve," Mr Yechury said.

The Central Election Commission yesterday said it had received representations from political parties on the sting video and that the matter will be examined.

The Left leader claimed the money is being used to unleash violence on Ms Banerjee's political opponents during poll campaign and added the "unholy" marriage of corruption and violence doesn't "portend" well for the state.

A recent sting operation, by new portal Narada, purportedly showed three West Bengal ministers and some Trinamool lawmakers as accepting bribes from a fictitious company.

The Trinamool has maintained the videos are "doctored" and part of "smear campaign" by its political rivals.