Kolkata, February 4: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's sit-in protest to 'save the constitution' entered the second day on Monday. Banerjee, who began a dharna over the CBI's attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scams, said she will continue her 'Satyagraha' till the country and its Constitution are 'saved'. Along with the Chief Minister, several senior members of the TMC including Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar were seen at the protest site. Reports inform that the Chief Minister skipped meals and remained awake the entire night. Catch Mamata Banerjee Vs CBI Live News Updates Here.
Party supporters from different districts thronged the area shouting slogans in support of Banerjee. Meanwhile, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and several other opposition leaders also extended their full support to Banerjee in her sit-in against the Centre over CBI move in the state. The Opposition parties said the instability in Bengal were part of the unrelenting attack on India's institutions by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Mamata Banerjee Begins Dharna at Metro Channel in Kolkata.
Watch Video: Mamata Banerjee continues dharna over CBI issue:
#WATCH West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continues dharna over CBI issue after a short break early morning. West Bengal CM began the 'Save the Constitution' dharna last night. #Kolkata pic.twitter.com/DBoS0GC1MJ
— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019
According to a report by IANS, Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister M Chandrababu Naidu, R J D national president Lalu Prasad, came out in support of Banerjee. Gandhi called up Banerjee and extended support to her, saying the entire opposition is together and it will defeat the fascist forces. CBI Vs Kolkata Police: Rahul Gandhi, Opposition Leaders Express Support to Mamata Banerjee's Protest Against Centre; CPI-M Differs.
Take a look at the tweet:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at 'Save the Constitution' dharna in #Kolkata. She has been staging dharna since last night over CBI issue. pic.twitter.com/rFLuBIghfs
— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday took a dig at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government over the law and order situation in West Bengal and claimed that Banerjee was now giving less time to the state as her eyes are fixed on forming a 'Mahagathbandhan'. CBI Vs Kolkata Police: 'Mahagathbandhan' Leaders Support West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's 'Save The Constitution' Dharna, Slam Narendra Modi Government.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 04, 2019 09:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The high-voltage battle broke out between the Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government on Sunday after CBI officers showed up near the residence of Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar and were forced to go out from his residence. Rajeev Kumar has been under the scanner in connection with the CBI probe into the ponzi scheme scam case. According to reports, Kumar, who headed a SIT probing the Saradha and Rose Valley Ponzi scams that had surfaced in the state in 2013, was asked to help the investigation after several documents allegedly went missing. Mamata Banerjee Backs Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Accuses BJP of Torturing WB.
In the wake of the political war in West Bengal, the CBI plans to drag the state government to the Supreme Court. Interim Chief of the CBI, M Nageswara Rao on Sunday said that the West Bengal police aren't cooperating, therefore, "we will approach the Supreme Court on Monday". While the CBI has said it will file a contempt of court case against the West Bengal government in the Supreme Court on Monday, the TMC said it will raise the matter in Parliament.