Kolkata: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during his campaign rallies in the state on Saturday, questioning why he had been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for 55 hours of questioning while Banerjee, in whose state numerous alleged scams have surfaced, had faced no such scrutiny.
Gandhi's Allegations Against Trinamool
Speaking at rallies in Serampore, Shahid Minar, and Metiaburuz, Gandhi said, "I am on bail. A case is lodged against me every 10-15 days. I was questioned by the ED for 55 hours. How many hours was Mamataji questioned? Have they snatched her home or disqualified her from the assembly?" He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacks Banerjee during campaigns but remains silent after elections, calling it proof that "Congress is their real enemy, not Trinamool."
Gandhi cited the Saradha and Rose Valley alleged scams as evidence of Trinamool's corruption and accused both Modi and Banerjee of prioritising power over jobs. "What Modi is doing in India, Mamataji is doing in Bengal. They promised five lakh jobs in 2021; in reality, 84 lakh youth registered for unemployment allowance," he said. He also blamed Banerjee for "goonda raj," coal smuggling, and the conditions that allowed the RG Kar rape and murder to occur.
Trinamool's Strong Response
Trinamool Congress hit back immediately. Senior leader and state minister Shashi Panja called Gandhi's remarks "irresponsible," pointing out that Trinamool seniors were receiving ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) summons even during elections "while he was busy playing with his dog and feeding it biscuits." She questioned Congress's credibility as a challenger to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), noting that the party had lost Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi, and Bihar after the Lok Sabha elections. "Let the people of Bengal — and later India — decide who is truly capable of defeating the BJP," she said.
Campaign Context
The exchange highlights the intense political rivalry in West Bengal, where the Congress, Trinamool, and BJP are locked in a multi-cornered contest. Gandhi's focus on corruption and unemployment aims to woo voters disillusioned with both the state and central governments, while Trinamool seeks to portray the Congress as a weak opponent that cannot effectively challenge the BJP.
