Not only PNB, other banks also involved in scam: Mamata

Continuing her attack on the Centre over the multi-crore PNB fraud, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that there are "other banks" involved in such money laundering cases with their chiefs being protected by the BJP government.

"We know everything. Not only the Punjab National Bank, there are other banks also and in those banks there are heads who are being sheltered. It is imperative to find out who are these shelter providers? Who are giving them protection?" Banerjee said while addressing a gathering here.

Reiterating her tweet on Sunday, Banerjee stressed that the fraud was fuelled one year before demonetisation.

"I think from the time of notebandhi... One year before the start of notebandhi this planning was done. Take Baroda Bank, Canara Bank, and other banks I know of...where people have been recruited dubiously.

"The documents are there with everyone. Evidence does not lie. So I don't trust loudmouths and those who only give speeches," she added.

Banerjee had earlier demanded a thorough probe into the over Rs 11,300 crore PNB fraud and said she would not let the central government off the hook until the people's money was secured.

Accusing the Centre of trying to take away the people's hard earned money deposited in the banks with its Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, the Chief Minister said she had written "strong" letters to the Finance Ministry to demand withdrawal of the bill.

On the Tripura Assembly elections which were held on Sunday, Banerjee, without hinting at any party, said democracy can never be sold and no political party can win by force.

"All I want to say, democracy is never sold to money. People are not sold to money. Money comes to people and not the opposite. By force, one cannot win."

Hinting at the BJP, which is contesting in 50 seats and has left nine seats for its ally, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), Banerjee said people do not want to see a party which is sitting on piles of cash.

"People don't want to see a political party sitting with crores of rupees."

The ruling CPI-M has fielded 56 candidates, leaving one seat each to its Left Front partners -- the Communist Party of India, Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party.

--IANS

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