Mamata Banerjee Vs CBI: West Bengal CM Carries on Sit-In, Opposition Cries ‘Murder of Democracy’, BJP Hits Back

The unprecedented stand-off between the Narendra Modi government and the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal stretched to the second day on Monday as the feisty Chief Minister continued her sit-in at the city hub against CBI's attempt to question Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in chit fund scam cases.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and DMK MP Kanimozhi joined Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata in her protest against the CBI and the Modi government.

The CBI has filed a contempt plea in the Supreme Court against West Bengal's chief secretary, state Director General of Police and Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar for wilful and deliberate violation of apex court's orders.

Mamata Banerjee, Right or Wrong, The Only Leader in Opposition Who Can Take PM Narendra Modi Head-On?

I am ready to give my life but not compromise. I did not take to the streets when you touched TMC leaders. But I am angry when they tried to insult the chair of the Kolkata Police Commissioner. He is leading the organisation: Mamata Banerjee

Amid ongoing tussle with the CBI, CM Mamata Banerjee felicitated police officers at the dharna ground. Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar was also present at the event.

Amid the ongoing turmoil in Kolkata, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Bhabanipur has been vandalised by unidentified men. More details awaited. 

In wake of the high-voltage drama in Kolkata, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Joint Director of Kolkata Pankaj Srivastav leaves for Delhi.

West Bengal: TMC workers protest against PM Narendra Modi and Central govt over CBI issue in Kolkata.

Mamata Banerjee called for a dharna after a scuffle broke out between CBI officials and Kolkata Police outside Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar’s residence on Sunday. Here are several reactions to the high-voltage drama that unfolded in West Bengal.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad: In 2014 Congress tweeted Rahul Gandhi's statement that 20 lakh ppl lost their money in chit fund scam in West Bengal. We took oath on May 26,2014 so all these inquiries in Narada, Saradha scams started before us.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the mayhem in the Bengal. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked, 'Is it a crime to probe corruption?'. Prasad said the mahagathbandhan is an opportunistic alliance and 'Didi' (Mamata) and the opposition are supporting the corrupt. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the dharna is against atrocities of the BJP government. "Our satyagraha is not against any agency, it is against Modi government's atrocities", she said.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on CBI issue: It was after the Supreme Court’s direction in 2013 that an inquiry began, if Mamata Ji is so fearless, why is she opposing it? What is she so scared of? Only those who steal are afraid.

The BJP delegation including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi & Bhupendra Yadav met Election Commission today on West Bengal issue. Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said that in the interest of wanting a free & fair environment in which LS polls can be conducted, the BJP has brought to the notice of EC certain happenings in WB which has complete cooperation of TMC. "Instances we highlighted to point out that TMC doesn't believe in democracy", Sitharaman was quoted by ANI.

Karnataka CM Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy slammed the Central government over CBI issue and said the BJP government at the Centre is misusing the constitutional institutions."This isn't a good development. I think central govt must behave properly&take confidence of state governments. Central govt is misusing constitutional institutions. It's not good for future. How central govt is behaving with opposition leaders is disastrous", Kumaraswamy said.

Ex-Joint Director CBI S Sen on Monday said politicians may like to use CBI but agencies shouldn't allow themselves to be used. "Only solution to cases like these is, it should be put before CBI Spl Court where FIR has been filed.I don't understand why in this case CBI did not approach Spl Court", Sen said.

Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti extended support to Mamata Banerjee and said, the manner in which constitutional institutions in this country, like CBI, are being misused to settle scores with opponents is unfortunate. "We stand with Mamata ji. If institutions continue being discredited like this federal structure will be fractured", she added.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday attacked the BJP government and said whatever the central government did in West Bengal is very dangerous and is against constitution and democracy. "Every state has an elected govt, if PM sends CBI & ED like this & try to scare the officers then this country will not be safe", he said.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 PM following an uproar by opposition parties over yesterday's incident in West Bengal.