Adhikari Sends Legal Notice to Mamata Banerjee Over Coal Scam Allegations
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West Bengal’s Leader of the Opposition demands proof within 72 hours, threatening defamation proceedings as tensions escalate following ED raids.
New Delhi – West Bengal Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, has issued a legal notice to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following her public accusations linking him and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to an alleged coal smuggling scheme. Adhikari is demanding that Banerjee substantiate her claims within 72 hours, warning of potential civil and criminal defamation lawsuits should she fail to provide evidence. The escalating dispute comes amid heightened political scrutiny following a recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on the office of I-PAC in Kolkata.
Banerjee Accuses Shah and Adhikari of Coal Scam Involvement
The controversy ignited after Banerjee, addressing a public gathering during protests against the ED raid on Thursday, directly accused Shah and Adhikari of benefiting from the alleged coal scam. She alleged that funds from the illicit scheme were channeled to Shah through Adhikari and a BJP leader named Jagannath Chattopadhyay.
“Who gets the coal scam’s money? Amit Shah gets it. The money goes through Suvendu Adhikari. The money goes through BJP leader Jagannath Chattopadhyay to Suvendu Adhikari. Suvendu Adhikari sends it to Amit Shah,” Banerjee stated, according to reports. She also raised concerns about the impartiality of the Election Commission, alleging a connection between a commissioner and Shah.
Adhikari Denounces Allegations as Defamatory
Adhikari swiftly responded, characterizing Banerjee’s statements as “reckless, baseless, and wholly unsubstantiated.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he asserted that the allegations were a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the ongoing ED investigation.
“Today, CM Mamata Banerjee, in a desperate attempt to divert attention from an ongoing ED investigation, made absolutely baseless defamatory allegations against me, linking me to an ‘alleged’ coal scam alongside the Hon’ble Union Home Minister,” Adhikari wrote. He further emphasized that the claims were made without any supporting evidence and were damaging to his reputation.
Legal Notice Demands Evidence or Faces Legal Action
Through his legal counsel, Adhikari formally served Banerjee with a legal notice on Friday. The notice explicitly requests all evidence supporting her allegations within the stipulated 72-hour timeframe.
According to the notice, Banerjee has claimed to possess evidence linking Adhikari and Shah to the alleged coal scam. However, Adhikari’s legal team argues that the accusations are part of a “calculated and sinister design” to deflect public attention from issues concerning Banerjee, her family, and her political party.
BJP Mahila Morcha Protests Alleged Interference
The escalating tensions have prompted political reactions beyond the direct exchange between Banerjee and Adhikari. The Bharatiya Janata Party Mahila Morcha organized a protest march on Friday, from Rabindra Sarovar to Deshapriya Park, in Kolkata, to demonstrate against Banerjee’s alleged interference in the ED raid on I-PAC’s office.
The situation remains fluid as Banerjee faces the deadline to provide evidence supporting her claims. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the political landscape in West Bengal, particularly as the state approaches upcoming elections.
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