Mamata Banerjee made a passing reference to the allegations saying the opposition should "fight her politically instead of resorting to a conspiracy". (PTI file photo)
Weeks ahead of the West Bengal election, three ministers, six parliamentarians and two legislators of the ruling Trinamool Congress are entangled in a sting that purportedly shows them taking bribes in exchange for favours to a company.
As the BJP demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation, her party called the sting by the portal "Narada News" fake and its footage doctored.
Addressing a news conference today, the portal claimed that it recorded the sting over the last two years.
The tape, which cannot be independently verified by NDTV, purportedly shows the Trinamool leaders accepting around Rs. 5 lakh each in cash in return for favours such as lobbying for a company "Impex Consultancy" that was made up by the portal. Over 70 lakh rupees were allegedly paid to the politicians, including the Kolkata mayor and one senior police officer.
Parliamentarians Mukul Roy, Sultan Ahmed, Saugata Roy, Suvendu Adhikari, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Prasun Banerjee along with legislators Iqbal Ahmed, Sovan Chatterjee who is also mayor of Kolkata are allegedly shown in the sting accepting the cash.
The sting also 'shows' Bengal ministers Farhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee and former minister Madan Mitra.
The portal is run by one Mathew Samuel, reportedly a former employee of the Tehelka magazine. He presented himself as a representative of the company.
The Trinamool said the sting is the result of the "dirty tricks departments" of its political rivals.
Mamata Banerjee, campaigning in north Bengal, made a passing reference to the allegations saying the opposition should "fight her politically instead of resorting to a conspiracy".
In a video statement, Trinamool lawmaker and spokesperson Derek O'Brien threatened to sue the portal for defamation. "We are completely transparent. (Chief Minister) Mamatadi's credentials are impeccable. The people of Bengal know. We are busy with elections now. So whoever has concocted this smear campaign, please go ahead and concoct your smear campaign or your doctored video," he said.
Mathew Samuel denied any political links and said the release of the sting video this close to the state polls is just "coincidence".
The BJP besides demanding Mamata Banerji's resignation said the chief minister should resign immediately. "We have written to CBI for probe. We are meeting the Election Commission today and we will ask it to investigate the sting and not allow Trinamool leaders allegedly involved in the sting to contest the elections," BJP leader 's Siddharth Nath Singh said.
The CPM also reacted very sharply to the sting and called for statewide agitation against Trinamool Congress. CPM secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said, "Elections Commission could even consider postponing elections in Bengal and imposing the President's Rule in the truth about the sting comes out."