Rahul Gandhi Slams Mamata Banerjee: '55 Hours of ED Grilling for Me, Zero for Didi'

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on Saturday against both the BJP-led central government and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Addressing an election rally in Shrirampur, Hooghly district, for the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, Gandhi claimed that while the BJP government has filed numerous cases against him, no such action has been taken against Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee.

Comparison of ED Questioning and Legal Cases

During his address, Rahul Gandhi highlighted the disparity in actions taken by central probe agencies. He stated that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned him for 55 hours over five consecutive days. ' The Leader of Opposition emphasized that there are no ongoing ED or CBI investigations against the West Bengal Chief Minister. Detailing his own legal struggles, Gandhi mentioned that he's currently out on bail, his house was taken away, and his Lok Sabha membership was briefly revoked, while he revealed that he faces 36 cases and must travel to states like Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Bihar every 10-15 days to attend court proceedings.

Ideological Battle and Allegations of Secret Understanding

Rahul Gandhi asserted that only the Congress party fights the BJP on an ideological basis. He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacks him, Party President Mallikarjun Kharge, and others around the clock. However, he alleged that the PM only attacks the TMC chief during election periods in the state. 'Let the Bengal elections end; Narendra Modi won't speak a single word against Mamata Banerjee,' Gandhi remarked. He further claimed that Modi is aware that only the Congress, and not the TMC, can defeat the BJP, the RSS, and their ideology.

Critique of Industrial Decline and Unemployment in Bengal

The Congress leader accused the TMC government of destroying industries in West Bengal and creating a crisis of unemployment. He alleged that to secure a job in Bengal, one must be a relative of someone in the TMC; otherwise, employment remains out of reach, while pointing towards the closed Hindustan Motors factory in nearby Hindmotor, he noted that Bengal used to be the industrial hub of the country, but first the Left Front and then the TMC destroyed everything.

Allegations of Scams and Law & Order Failures

Rahul Gandhi brought up major financial scandals, stating that the Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi scams, involving thousands of crores, occurred under the TMC regime. He further alleged that coal smuggling and illegal mining are rampant in the state, with a 'gunda tax' being levied on every activity. Regarding employment, he questioned the status of the five lakh jobs promised in 2021, noting that 84 lakh youth in Bengal have applied for unemployment allowances. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. He concluded that Mamata Banerjee is 'opening the way for the BJP' in Bengal.

TMC's Rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi's Comments

The Trinamool Congress responded sharply to Rahul Gandhi's allegations. TMC spokesperson and Minister Dr. ' She pointed out that TMC leaders continue to receive summons from the ED and CBI even during elections. Panja took a personal dig, stating that while TMC leaders are being targeted, Gandhi is busy playing with his dog and feeding it biscuits. She added that if Congress had fought honestly, the BJP wouldn't have won in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi, and Bihar.