Mamata accuses BJP of 'political vendetta' over Verma's transfer

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the BJP of 'political vendetta' in her response to the ongoing tussle in the premier probe agency in the country - the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"They are misusing central agencies like CBI for their own political gain and turning them into 'his master's voice'," Banerjee said, referring to the Alok Verma issue as 'unfortunate for the country'. "I don't think it (read transfer) is justified. But I won't comment anything as it is in court," she added.

It may be mentioned that former CBI director Verma, ousted by a high-powered committee, asked the government on Friday to treat him as "deemed superannuated" with immediate effect.

"The Central government is indulging in dictatorship wherein if a person is disliked he is asked to go. They are destroying institutions like the CBI and the RBI. I respect all institutions and if they are misused for political gains, it is condemnable. There should be a 'lakshmanrekha' (boundary) but the Centre has crossed it," Banerjee maintained.

Responding to a poser on the national leaders attending the mega rally called by Trinamool Congress at Brigade parade grounds on January 19, Banerjee said that 20 leaders have already confirmed their presence.

According to her, the leaders who have confirmed their presence include disgruntled BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha, former Union minister Arun Shourie, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah to name a few.