Sudip is innocent, says Mamata

Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay is innocent of the charges for which he has been arrested, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday.

"Sudip Bandyopadhyay is innocent and has committed no crime," Banerjee told reporters at Sukna in Darjeeling district.

The Trinamool leader added: "You cannot exploit the common people. People in the coming days will not forgive this exploitation of democracy."

Again alleging vendetta over the arrest of Trinamool leaders including Bandyopadhyay in the Rose Valley chit fund scandal, Banerjee said that her party was being targeted for opposing demonetisation.

She accused the BJP of "giving shelter" to "thieves and dacoits who have made crores".

"Whenever someone protests, he is deprived of his democratic rights and jailed. Trinamool is being targeted as we opposed demonetisation."

She regretted that people still cannot withdraw their own money as per their wish.

"I will request the government to withdraw the restrictions (on bank withdrawals). It is white money which people deposit in the bank. It is their right (to withdraw)," Banerjee said.