West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has raised a possible blackmail angle in the death of former minister and Deputy Speaker Asish Banerjee, saying political pressure may have played a role. His remarks have triggered a fresh clash with the Trinamool Congress, which has blamed the BJP and media for Banerjee’s death, as calls grow for a full investigation.
Clash over the reason for death
Adhikari said Banerjee may have faced pressure or threats from people within the Trinamool Congress. He said the former leader had taken a stand against alleged injustice and corruption in the party after the Assembly elections earlier this year. His suicide note and mobile phone will be examined,” Chief Minister Adhikari said. Adhikari also said investigators should establish whether Banerjee was threatened before his death. He said he had instructed the police and the District Magistrate to ensure that the autopsy was conducted properly. He said Banerjee had distanced himself from Mamata Banerjee and resigned from a committee formed by her. Adhikari said Banerjee was personally honest but suggested that the same could not be said about some of his political colleagues. That is why there are reasons to probe whether anyone from Trinamool Congress, who were involved in corruption, threatened him or not,” CM Adhikari said.
He distances himself from the former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He also resigned from the committee that the former Chief Minister had formed. It is possible that the corrupt people within Trinamool Congress might have intimidated him. Someone might have blackmailed him. I had an extremely cordial relationship with him despite political differences. There will be a proper investigation into the incident. Adhikari linked his blackmail claim to Banerjee’s political differences within the Trinamool Congress. He also referred to Banerjee’s decision to join the faction led by expelled Trinamool Congress legislator Ritabrata Banerjee. “No notice was issued by the police or the administration to him, no one within the BJP ever threatened taking his name. Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee issued a social media statement blaming the BJP and the media for Asish Banerjee’s death While there was no reaction from Mamata Banerjee till late Sunday afternoon.
“Asish Banerjee stood against injustice and corruption within his own party after the Assembly elections earlier this year.
