This Article is From Mar 15, 2016

Sting Starring 'Dirty Dozen' Embarrasses Mamata Banerjee In Poll Season

The state's top three ministers in 2014, when the sting operation allegedly began, are entangled in the controversy.

Kolkata: A video derided by the Trinamool Congress as "doctored" was the subject of an angry exchange in Parliament today, with the party's opponents demanding an investigation and Trinamool leaders alleging "dirty tricks" ahead of the Bengal election.

The footage was released by news site in Kolkata on Monday.

Narada.com claims top leaders of Mamata Banerjee's party can be seen accepting cash from reporters who allegedly presented themselves as representatives of a private firm who paid the politicians in exchange for promises of favours for their business. NDTV cannot verify the authenticity of the video.  

The portal claims that Trinamool politicians accepted bribes ranging from five to 20 lakhs.

The state's top three ministers in 2014, when the sting operation allegedly began, are entangled in the controversy. These include Madan Mitra, former transport minister, who is currently in jail for his alleged links with the Saradha Ponzi scam. He has been chosen to contest the state polls.

Subrata Mukherjee, who is panchayat minister, allegedly accepts Rs 4 lakh and is told that Rs 1 lakh will be sent later.

Firhad Hakim, the urban affairs minister, appears to be at home in a vest. He allegedly says the 5 lakh offered to him is too small an amount for him and asks for the money to be given to a sidekick.

Firhad Hakim's nickname is Bobby and Mamata Banerjee uses it.

Mukul Roy, a Rajya Sabha member, is the only lawmaker who is not seen taking cash on camera. He allegedly asks a man offering him Rs 20 lakh to deposit it at his office, and gives him an address.

Others allegedly taking bundles of cash include Sougata Roy, one of the most prominent faces of the party in Parliament. The former professor of physics is not really in Ms Banerjee's inner circle and has occasionally been publicly reprimanded by her for speaking his mind.

Sultan Ahmed, known for his clean image, is purportedly given Rs 5 lakh and, when asked if he wants more, says: "If you have more".

Subhendu Adhikari, the parliamentarian who has been picked to contest the state polls, purportedly accepts Rs 5 lakh without a word.

Prasun Banerjee, the lawmaker from Howrah, a national level footballer roped in by Mamata Banerjee in 2014, appears to take Rs 4 lakh.

The only woman who apparently makes an appearance is Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, a parliamentarian whose husband is the state minister for environment. She was given Rs 4 lakh, naradnews.com claims.

Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee, called by his nickname Kanan by the Chief Minister, purportedly smokes and pulls out a piece of cloth to wrap the cash in.

The sting begins with an interview with police officer SMH Mirza who claims he has already collected "60" for Mukul Roy. He is seen accepting Rs 5 lakh. Mr Mirza was apparently the superintendent of police of Burdwan district when the sting took place.
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