Trinamool Congress hits backs at Amit Shah

The party alleged that Shah's name was mentioned in a 'red diary' purportedly seized by CBI from Sahara's office

A day after BJP chief Amit Shah targeted Trinamool Congress in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee's party today hit back alleging that his name was mentioned in a 'red diary' purportedly seized by CBI from Sahara's office but the government dismissed the charge as speculation.

In Rajya Sabha today, Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien tried to raise the issue of the alleged 'red diary' of Sahara and party members staged a walkout when they were not allowed to speak out of turn.

Outside Parliament, Trinamool MPs staged a protest waving red placards with Sahara written on them and demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.

TMC leader Sudeep Bandhopadhyay told reporters that the BJP chief's name was mentioned in a 'red diary' allegedly recovered by the Central Bureau of Investigation during searches at Sahara's office in November.

"We want to know why they are being secretive about the names.... Why is CBI not revealing the names? We will not let it go. We want a discussion on the issue," he said.

"On 22nd November 2014, in a raid at CBI office, a red diary was recovered. In that red diary, I have information that national president of BJP Amit Shah's name is present along with one Mr NM. Whose names are these? CBI is not revealing this... Action has not been taken.

"I hope the government will clarify the issue," he said.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju rejected the charges, saying these were false speculations and 'political in nature'.

"These all are false speculations," the Minister said outside Parliament House.

He said that political parties have the right to conduct rallies and meetings in any part of the country, a reference to attempts to stall Shah's rally at Kolkata yesterday.

"These are all political statements. A political party has the right to conduct rallies, meetings anywhere in the country. And if somebody is making a political issue out of it, it is political in nature," he added.