Kolkata: Former state sports minister Aroop Biswas — now being investigated in connection with last December's 'Messigate' scandal at Salt Lake stadium — wrote a letter to HDFC Bank six days ago, requesting that the party's account be frozen. The letter, addressed to the bank's Central Plaza branch, sought a 'freeze' until 'competent authorities' could determine who controls the party. Biswas's letter, dated June 12 though received by the bank on June 16, became public on Thursday, the same day he presented himself to police for questioning in the Messigate affair.
Background of the Dispute
Biswas's letter came a week after the Trinamool National Working Committee removed him as party treasurer on June 5, replacing him with former MP Subhasish Chakraborty. Senior Trinamool leaders stated they had already informed HDFC Bank about the change. Biswas, who has skipped all party meetings at former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence since the May 4 assembly poll defeat, declined to comment on the letter. His brother, Swarup Biswas, is currently in police custody, implicated in several corruption and extortion cases.
Bank's Response
HDFC Bank did not officially react to the development, but a senior bank officer said the account had been placed under 'a debit freeze,' preventing any withdrawals. However, a senior Trinamool leader disputed this, calling it 'a baseless rumour.' According to the audit report submitted by Trinamool to the Election Commission, the account at HDFC's Central Plaza branch holds Rs 535 crore.
Party Reactions
Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh acknowledged awareness of 'the news reports' but clarified: 'Biswas is not the party treasurer; the party treasurer is Subashish Chakraborty. We do not want to comment on speculations.' Chakraborty, appointed treasurer by the faction loyal to former CM Banerjee, said he was unaware of the letter but emphasized that he is the 'only Trinamool treasurer.'
The rebel camp welcomed Biswas's letter. Opposition leader Ritabrata Banerjee said Biswas did the right thing and that the account should be frozen. 'The account is not only about deposits. Who knows whether all the cut money was parked there,' he said. Bengal commerce and industries minister and Maniktala BJP MLA Tapas Ray commented that the Trinamool has multiple treasurers. 'Everyone who is in possession of the money that the party has accumulated over the past 15 years through extortion, donations, and other means are all treasurers of the party,' he said. He added that a thorough probe could reveal more, stating, 'We do not know where the money trail, if probed, may lead to. There is also the question of who will eventually enjoy the money.'
Details of the Letter
In his letter, Biswas wrote that 'rival groups were claiming to be the party's legitimate representatives and office-bearers, resulting in uncertainty regarding the authority of persons who may seek to operate the bank accounts maintained in the party's name.' He urged that status quo be maintained and that 'no debit transaction' or 'change in operational mandate' be allowed 'to safeguard the funds and prevent any unauthorised withdrawals, transfers, encumbrances, or other transactions... till the dispute is resolved or appropriate directions are issued by the competent authority.'
Biswas also claimed he had 'previously faced considerable hardship and was subjected to harassment by various authorities in relation to alleged discrepancies concerning the accounts and financial affairs of the Trinamool.' He added, 'I used to sign cheques for operational and administrative requirements, which were thereafter retained at the party office for utilisation in meeting urgent financial needs as and when they arose.' He expressed concern that those 'aforesaid signed cheques, if presently in circulation or custody of persons whose authority is under dispute, may be misused or presented for encashment without proper authorization,' explaining why there was 'a real and imminent risk of unauthorised transactions being carried out through the account.'
