Centre-State confrontation at its peak in Bengal, CBI moves SC

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remained firm on continuing with her indefinite satyagraha at Metro channel to protest the move of the CBI to question Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, even as the CBI has decided to move Supreme Court today.

Ms Banerjee said,'' My agitation is to save democracy, Constitution and the country and  my struggle will continue till the situation is resolved.''

"I am anguished the manner in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and  Amit Shah are trying to take control of Bengal is unprecedented. Just because I organised the United India Rally, I am being targeted. You have seen the speech of PM. The language he used is not befitting of a Prime Minister. He had threatened yesterday only that the CBI will be used," she commented.

" 2019 " BJP finish'. Their expiry date has arrived. They have to win the mandate in an election, not by force. It was our government which constituted the SIT that arrested the chit fund owner. The action against chit funds began during our regime. Every time there is an election, they start raking up the issue of chit funds. Modi is writing the script and Mr Doval is implementing it through the CBI.

The Kolkata Police Commissioner is among the best in the world. Let them prove their allegations against Rajeev Kumar," she stated.

" How can the CBI come to the residence of the Kolkata CP without a warrant? This is a constitutional breakdown. They are running a parallel administration. I appeal to all Opposition parties to work unitedly to oust Modi from power. Modi hatao, desh bachao. Will they impose Article 356 next"The people will give a befitting reply," she averred.

"The offices of Governors have become branch offices of the BJP. The situation in the country is like a super-emergency. I have decided to sit on a dharna to save the Constitution, to save democracy, to save the federal structure," she asserted.

A stage has been set up at the dharna venue from where the Chief Minister will hold her Cabinet meeting on Monday.

The Chief Minister skipped meals and remained awake the entire night on a makeshift dais here along with some senior ministers and party members.

The CBI will move the Apex court today, claiming its probe in scams was being obstructed by the West Bengal government and the state police.

The fast-paced development started unfolding yesterday as soon as a team of 40-odd agency officers arrived at Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar's residence at Loudon Street in central Kolkata, but were stopped by sentries and officials.

Meanwhile, Union Minister and BJP MP from Asansol Babul Supriyo has said that President's rule should be imposed on West Bengal to control the "rogue" government. He said,''This is a constitutional crisis created by Mamata Banerjee to shield her corrupt and tainted accomplices. "

"President's Rule should be imposed on West Bengal to control this 'Rogue' #TMchhi Govt under a corrupt CM MamtaBanerjee?This is a constitutional crisis 'created' by Mamta to shield her corrupt & tainted accomplices," Mr Supriyo tweeted.

"What's happening in Bengal? - Arrests CBI - Denied permission for rallies - Doesn't let @AmitShah's choppers land - Let's her goonda party men to kill BJP supporters - Insults federal system We demand #PresidentRuleInBengal. #MamataFearsBJP #MamataBlocksCBI," he tweeted.

BJP leader Mukul Roy also termed the situation as a "constitutional crisis".BJP MP in Rajya Sabha and actress-turned politician Roopa Ganguly on Monday claimed that the abuse of police power by the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would prove costly to her.

In a tweet, Ms Ganguly wrote in Bangla "....police taakey shodh debey (police will avenge the manner she abused them)".(UNI)