Minakshi Mukherjee, a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], faces a staggering 19 criminal cases, according to her election affidavit. The cases include serious charges such as murder, attempt to murder, and arson. Despite these allegations, Mukherjee has declared zero assets in her affidavit, raising questions about her financial background.
Details of Criminal Cases
The affidavit, filed by Mukherjee for the upcoming elections, lists 19 criminal cases pending against her. Among these, 10 cases are related to violent incidents, including two murder charges. The cases span multiple districts in West Bengal, with most filed during political clashes between CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress workers.
Murder and Attempt to Murder Charges
Specifically, Mukherjee is accused of involvement in the murder of a Trinamool Congress supporter in 2014 and another murder case from 2016. Additionally, she faces four charges of attempt to murder and three charges of arson. These cases are currently under trial in various courts.
Zero Assets Declaration
In a surprising revelation, Mukherjee declared that she owns no movable or immovable assets. Her affidavit states that she has no bank accounts, vehicles, or property. This is unusual for a politician of her stature, who has been active in politics for over two decades.
Income and Liabilities
Mukherjee also declared an annual income of zero for the past three years. She has no liabilities or loans. Her spouse, who is also a CPI(M) member, similarly declared negligible assets. The couple lives in a rented accommodation in Kolkata.
Political Reactions
The revelations have sparked sharp reactions from rival parties. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "This shows the true face of CPI(M) leaders who incite violence but claim to be poor. They are using the party's funds for their legal battles." The BJP also criticized Mukherjee, calling her a "criminal with a clean chit from her party."
However, CPI(M) state secretary Suryakanta Mishra defended Mukherjee, stating that the cases are politically motivated and that she is a victim of vendetta politics. "Minakshi is a dedicated worker who has faced false cases. Her zero assets reflect her honesty and simple living," Mishra said.
Legal Proceedings
Mukherjee has secured bail in most cases, but the trials are ongoing. She is required to appear in court regularly. Legal experts say that if convicted, she could be disqualified from contesting elections under the Representation of the People Act.
The election commission has taken note of the affidavit and is monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, voters in her constituency are divided, with some seeing her as a victim and others as a perpetrator of violence.
