New Delhi, Apr 24: Mamata Banerjee is facing perhaps the most challenging political crisis after taking over the reins of power in West Bengal.
In an explosive letter to CBI, Sudipta Sen, the chairman of controversial Saradha Group has accused two Trinamool Congress MPs, Kunal Ghosh and Srinjoy Bose, of taking money from him in the name of protecting his business from West Bengal government using their close connection with Mamata Banerjee. The two MPS also assured Sen of central government's cooperation, claimed Sen.
Sen, in his letter, says that he was forced to to enter media business just to save himself from a spate of extortion demands and blackmailing tactics. Sudipta claims he was forced to pay Rs 60 lakhs to Pratidin for content and 15 lakhs per month to Kunal Ghosh who had got himself appointed as CEO of Saradha Group Media. Sen claims that that the two Trinamool MPs were paid nearly Rs 20 crore between 2011 and 2013.
Sudipta Sen has also accused Ghosh of intruding into his office and forcing him to sign documents that allegedly related to sell of Channel 10, the channel owned by Sudipta Sen's group, for Rs 55 lakhs. The deal was later closed for Rs 24 Crore. Sen has also accused wife of a union minister for demanding money to set up a chanel in north-east.
Apart from Bengal politicians, Sen has blamed politicians from Bengal, Assam, Odisha and Jharkhand of taking money from him. He claims these politicians used him and backstabbed him at gunpoint.
The entire drama that has unfolded indicates a close nexus between politicians and chit fund operators. Chit fund business has always flourished because of political patronage is no secret but the revelations made by Sen has dented he image of Mamata Banerjee led government.
Mamata Banerjee has been trying very hard to project the clean image of her govt but the alleged involvement of her two MPs has dealt a severe blow to her image. The most damaging part of the story is the closeness of Kunal Ghosh to the West Bengal Chief Minister.
Mamata Banerjee further compounded the problem defending Kunal Ghosh asking his critics to wait till the enquiry is completed.
