Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her conduct during recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in Kolkata, saying her behaviour was “unbecoming” of a person holding a constitutional post.
Reacting to media queries in Guwahati, Sarma referred to Banerjee’s presence at the sites where the ED was carrying out searches and her subsequent actions, which included protests against the central agency. He said such conduct could erode public respect for the office of a chief minister.
“Whatever has happened during the ED raids does not behove a chief minister. People holding constitutional positions must act with restraint and dignity,” Sarma said, without elaborating further.
The ED had conducted searches at the office of political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) and the residence of one of its functionaries in Kolkata as part of a money-laundering investigation. During the raids, Banerjee visited the locations, accused the agency of political vendetta and alleged that the action was aimed at harassing the Trinamool Congress ahead of elections.
The episode triggered sharp political reactions across the country, with the BJP criticising Banerjee’s actions and the TMC defending her, accusing central agencies of being misused against opposition-ruled states.
Banerjee has maintained that the ED’s actions were politically motivated, while the agency has denied the allegations and said the searches were conducted as part of a lawful investigation.
The war of words comes amid escalating tensions between the BJP-led central government and the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government over the role and functioning of central investigative agencies.
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