"Is this not a violation of the MCC?": TMC Reiterates it its Allegations of BJP-NIA Conspiracy; Abhishek Banerjee Urges the EC to take Action

"The NIA and the BJP are in cohorts and they hatched a conspiracy," thundered Abhishek Banerjee. The Trinamool Congress National General Secretary launched a scathing attack on the BJP and Election Commission following his meeting with Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose after a party delegation comprising of MPs and ex-MPs were detained by the Delhi police. Abhishek Banerjee reiterated his allegations that he has proof that the BJP and the NIA alleged hatched a conspiracy which prompted the arrests in East Midnapore's Bhupatinagar. 

"The SP of NIA, one of the central agencies that claims itself as one of the most premium investigative agencies of the country, his name is Dhanraj Singh held a clandestine meeting with one of the BJP functionaries whose name is Jitendra Tiwari on 26th of March, 10 days after the elections were announced. Is this not a violation of the Model Code of Conduct?" questioned Banerjee. The Trinamool Congress National General Secretary alleged apathy on the part of the Election Commission. "The Election Commission cannot continuously turn a blind eye as a mute spectator or conspicuously maintain silence over the serious allegations that we have raised. When the BJP raises allegations you remove the Bengal DG without any substantative proof, then when we furnish proof, why won't they take action," he added.  

Abhishek Banerjee has alleged that the party has proof that Dhanraj Singh the NIA SP, and a BJP functionary Jitendra Tiwari held a meeting on March 26, that lasted for a duration of 58 minutes. "I say again, the meeting lasted for 58 minutes. The domestic help of Dhanram Singh's house escorted him inside. He had a packet with him when he entered, but, left empty handed. I have all the proof to coroborate my allegations. Track down Jitendra Tiwari's tower location, his driver's tower location, Dhanram Singh's tower location, and match the IPDR data, that is enough to connect the dots," alleged Banerjee. 

While addressing a battery of media outside the Governor's house in Kolkata, he hit out at the Election Commission for their purported inaction in taking any steps at a time when the Model Code of Conduct is in place. "Again, my question is even after the imposition of the MCC, how is a BJP leader meeting the NIA chief? Why was the notice sent after the announcement of the elections? It clearly means that the NIA and the BJP are in cohorts and they hatched a conspiracy," Abhishek Banerjee reiterated. 

The National Investigative Agency on Saturday arrested two TMC leaders, Balai Charan Maity and Manobrata Jana in connection with a 2022 blast case in West Bengal's East Medinipur district. The arrests led to an attack on the NIA team by an angry mob. The East Midnapore district police filed a FIR based on a complaint by the wife of one of the arrested individuals, alleging assault and outrage of modesty by NIA officers. However, the NIA refuted these allegations, stating that the searches were conducted lawfully with CRPF security cover.

A confrontation ensued as the TMC released evidence alleging a conspiracy between BJP leaders and the NIA to incite unrest in Bhupatanigar. The TMC presented a visitor register showing a purported visit by BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari to the residence of NIA SP Dhan Ram Singh. The NIA denied these allegations, asserting the legitimacy of their actions. TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee challenged the NIA to clarify Tiwari's visit, alleging he arrived with a parcel and left empty-handed.

Trinamool Congress further alleged a connection between Tiwari's visit and the appointment of Sadanand Date as the new DG of NIA on March 26. The party questioned the timing of Date's appointment, coinciding with the alleged conspiracy involving the NIA in West Bengal. TMC MP Saket Gokhale raised concerns about Date's appointment without Election Commission approval during the election period, highlighting the perceived coincidence between the NIA's actions in West Bengal and Date's appointment as DG.

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh on Tuesday urged action and demanded the removal of the DG NIA as he is "responsible" for the whole thing. "NIA Sources: After @abhishekaitc's strong stand against BJP-NIA conspiracy, now NIA summoned SP D R Sing in Delhi urgently. He is on board now. NIA is sending Rakesh Roshan, IPS from Patna to Kolkata to supervise the disputed cases. But, we want proper investigation, action against D R Sing. Don't try to suppress the issue of that meeting. That is most dangerous plot against @AITCofficial. Don't try to guard this kind of conspiracy. NIA should come out with proper Press release mentioning steps against D R Sing. Moreover, we demand the change of DG NIA, as he is responsible for the whole thing, including activities of D R Sing," posted the TMC leader on social media platform "X". 

A Trinamool Congress delegation was detained by the Delhi police on Monday after they attempted to stage a 24-hour protest outside the Election Commission office in the national capital. The TMC leaders demanded the removal of the current heads of central agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax Department. The TMC has alleged the misuse of these central agencies by the BJP government, particularly citing the targeting of TMC workers ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

“Today, democracy was murdered in broad daylight in Delhi, with the ghastly treatment of our delegation comprising senior leaders, many of whom are women. The principal responsibility of the murder, as its main instigator, is not of the BJP or its Union government, or even the Union home ministry under Amit Shah — although Delhi Police reports to it,” said the incumbent Diamond Harbour MP after his meeting with the West Bengal Governor over the issue. He added that the Governor has purportedly condemned the detention of the Trinamool Congress leader.