Kolkata: The Opposition Left Front and Congress in West Bengal on Sunday demanded an immediate CBI probe into the Saradha group ponzi scam and alleged the arrest of Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh was the ruling Trinamool Congress` "ploy to protect other culprits".
The Left Front today called upon the people to protest against the ruling Trinamool Congress` "involvement" in the Saradha scam and expose the state government`s "honest image".
"From the very beginning we have been demanding a CBI probe into the scam and refund of the deposits to all investors by selling out properties of the Saradha group," a release issued by the LF said here today.
The LF urged the people and activists to organise processions, street corners and other statewide mass protest programmes against the TMC and expose the "honest image" of the state government.
"The Trinamool government has turned the demand of CBI probe into a farce and is busy covering up the crime committed by the accused company and benefits of a section of ruling party leaders," the statement said.
"Since the name of the Chief Minister and some of her cabinet colleagues figured in the list which the MP made public yesterday, there should be an immediate CBI probe into the scam," CPI(M) Politburo member Surjya Kanta Mishra said, adding the MP`s arrest would not be enough and steps should be taken against all mentioned in Ghosh`s Facebook post.
Stating that involvement of ruling party leaders have been exposed with the disclosure of names by the arrested Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh, the LF also accused the state government of inaction against criminal activities which had affected the interest of a large number of people not only in West Bengal, but from neighbouring states as well.
In a statement, CPI(ML) Liberation state secretary Partha Ghosh also demanded a CBI probe into the Saradha scam.
"By arresting Kunal Ghosh, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her ruling Trinamool Congress government in the state are trying to make him a scapegoat and hush up the Saradha ponzi scam," Ghosh said.
The opposition Congress too demanded immediate action against all those mentioned in yesterday`s Facebook post of the incarcerated MP.
"We demand a CBI probe into the Saradha group ponzi scam as Ghosh`s Facebook post has already raised questions about several Trinamool Congress leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," said state PCC president and Rajya Sabha MP Pradip Bhattacharya.
"If the image of the Chief Minister is tarnished, there should be a CBI probe to reveal the truth and save the prestige of the state and the dignity of the chair. Kunal Ghosh`s arrest is only a ploy to protect other culprits. All those involved should be brought to book," he said.
"It completes Mamata Banerjee`s corruption circle," said Union Minister of State for Railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
"Arrest of Kunal Ghosh is nothing, but to suppress the involvement of those listed in the Facebook post," Chowdhury said, adding all those who figured in the list should come clean or face the same fate as that of Ghosh.
