BJP denies Mamata's claims of engaging in vendetta politics

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday stated that the investigation in the Saradha chit-fund scam was being undertaken under the Supreme Court's jurisdiction and the Central government had no role to play in the case. The party further denied engaging in a political vendetta against the Trinamool Congress (TMC), as claimed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Mamata's accusations that the Central government is engaging in vendetta politics do not make sense to anybody. The investigation in the Saradha scam is being done on the court's orders. The BJP or the Central government has no role to play in it," BJP vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told ANI here.

"An investigation is being held against corrupt politicians who have robbed the nation of its public money. The investigation is taking place under the jurisdiction of the court," he added.

Naqvi was reacting to Banerjee's remarks on Thursday, in which she had accused the BJP of engaging in a political vendetta against her party, reiterating that TMC had no connection with the Saradha scam.

"The people who are accusing our party's involvement in the Saradha chit scam should first look at themselves. Our party has nothing to do with the scam. In fact, the TMC is the only party which has no relation with any scam. Our government was not even in power when the scam took place," Banerjee had said.

"This is a political vendetta. We are fighting a battle against the BJP, which is why they are jealous. But a democracy can never be bulldozed; we will win the battle," she had added.

Last week, the CBI arrested West Bengal Transport and Sports Minister Madan Mitra in connection with the Saradha scam. Taking strong exception to Mitra's arrest, Banerjee had termed his arrest illegal and unconstitutional.