Amit Shah in Coal Scam?

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday over Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on I-PAC, the political strategist of the Trinamool Congress. She warned that if pressure on her and her government crossed a limit, she would be forced to reveal the evidence she possesses regarding Amit Shah’s alleged role in the coal scam.

Addressing a protest rally in Kolkata against the ED raids, Mamata said she had pen drives containing proof. She stated that she had remained silent so far out of respect for her constitutional position, but warned the Centre not to test her patience. “I will expose everything. The whole country will be shocked,” she said, targeting Amit Shah.

On Thursday, the ED conducted raids on the I-PAC office and the office of its head Prateek Jain in connection with the illegal coal mining case being investigated under the PMLA. During the searches, Mamata Banerjee went to the offices along with police and officials and walked out with some files and pen drives, leading to a tense situation. She said these contained crucial details related to her party’s election strategies.

“It is my right”

Responding to criticism that she interfered in the ED probe, Mamata defended her actions, saying she did nothing wrong. As party chief, she had every right to be there, especially with Assembly elections approaching, to protect her party’s election strategy from the ED. She alleged that the illegal money from the coal scam went to Amit Shah and that the funds were routed through BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar.

Mamata referred to Jagannath Sarkar as a “dacoit” and described Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari as a “traitor” and Amit Shah’s “god-gifted new son.” She questioned the role of BSF and CISF in the coal scam and accused them of failing to prevent coal smuggling. She reiterated that if pressure continued through central agencies, she would expose Amit Shah’s role in the scam with evidence, claiming she had pen drives as proof.

Mamata takes to the streets against ED

Protesting the ED raids on I-PAC offices, Mamata Banerjee led a massive protest rally on the streets of Kolkata on Friday. With Assembly elections just months away, she used the rally as a show of strength. Accusing the Narendra Modi government of misusing central agencies for political vendetta, Mamata, along with party MPs, MLAs, leaders and workers, marched from 8B Bus Stand to Hazra More.

High drama in High Court, judge walks out

Dramatic scenes unfolded in the Calcutta High Court on Friday during hearings related to the ED raids. As lawyers from both sides pushed and argued with each other, chaos erupted in the courtroom. Despite repeated warnings, the situation did not come under control, forcing Justice Suvra Ghosh to issue stern warnings.

She directed lawyers unrelated to the case to vacate the courtroom within five minutes, failing which she said she would leave. As arguments continued and her warnings were ignored, the judge adjourned the hearing to January 14 and walked out of the courtroom. As a result, hearings in both the ED and Trinamool Congress petitions were deferred to January 14.