CBI is BJP Bureau of Investigation: CM

New Delhi: Opposition parties Wednesday launched a blistering attack against the government over CBI Director Alok Verma's removal.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said the Central investigation agency CBI was not CBI anymore but has become "so-called BBI" — "BJP Bureau of Investigation".

"CBI has now become so-called BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation ) — very unfortunate," Banerjee tweeted.

On countless occasions, Banerjee had criticised the BJP for letting loose the CBI against the Opposition parties who had been critical of it. In the case of Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Banerjee had said that he was arrested and kept behind bars for six months without any rhyme or reason.

During party meetings, the Chief Minister has pointed out clearly that all the Central agencies like the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had virtually become BJP agencies. The saffron party has been using them to score its vendetta, she often alleged. She even maintained that despite pressure from the Central agencies, the Trinamool Congress would continue to point out the anti-people policies of the Centre. "Trinamool Congress will continue to work for the common people and will not succumb to any pressure from the BJP." She said that even the CBI had tried to apply pressure tactics on Akhilesh Yadav.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged Verma was forcibly sent on leave as he was collecting documents relating to the Rafale 'scam' and the country and its Constitution were in danger under the ruling dispensation.

Jaitley dismissed as "rubbish" the allegations by the Opposition that Verma was removed because he was collecting documents on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

BSP supremo Mayawati alleged the Centre's "vindictive, casteist and communal policies" had put not only the CBI but other agencies as well under duress.

DMK president M K Stalin also slammed the government for removing Verma, alleging that institutional freedom was facing serious threat under the Modi government.

"The appointment of a corrupt officer as interim head of #CBI is equally questionable," he tweeted.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) too condemned the action taken by the government against Verma.