In Biting Reconstruction Of Trinamool 'Sting', Notes Thrown In Kolkata Air

New Delhi: Video footage that shows top leaders from Mamata Banerjee's party accepting wads of cash has left her Trinamool Congress wide open to allegations of corruption just before she asks for a second consecutive term as Chief Minister. Trinamool bosses like Derek O'Brien have said that the footage is doctored, but the Left, which was delivered a humiliating defeat by Ms Banerjee in the last state election, has been asking Parliament for a detailed investigation, prompting a shouting match with Trinamool members for the second day in a row.

In Bengal, youth activists belonging to the opposition Congress marched into the heart of Kolkata yesterday with sacks full of notes which they tossed into the air in a biting reconstruction of the "sting" that was placed online by news site narada.com earlier this week.

NDTV cannot verify the authenticity of the footage.

Nearly a dozen Trinamool leaders, including members of Parliament and former ministers in the Bengal government, are seen accepting cash from reporters who claimed to be representatives of a firm that was willing to exchange money for business favours including introductions and meetings.

Critics and political opponents have remarked on how nonchalantly the Trinamool members accept the money - in one case, former minister Madan Mitra, reclines on a bed while notes are stacked up near him.