Many TMC leaders will spend rest of their lives in jail after ED traces their illegal assets: Dilip Ghosh

The ED will trace the illegal money and assets, he said

West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday courted fresh controversy on Tuesday saying several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders would spend rest of their lives in jail after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) uncover their illegal assets. His comments come ahead of the Assembly elections in Bengal.

"Several TMC leaders have amassed a lot of illegal wealth and assets. They will spend the rest of their lives behind bars after ED digs it out. None of them will be spared," said Ghosh. He was addressing party workers at a programme in Kolkata.

Ghosh said that he would ensure that the polling booths were manned by Central forces in the 2021 Assembly elections in Bengal as the people lost faith in the state police.

"Everyone will be able to cast their votes. The Central forces will ensure free and fair Assembly elections. Voters will be able to exercise their franchise without any fear of political terror and violence. The Central government will be with you," said Ghosh. He also said that the state police would not be allowed near the polling booths.

His comments drew sharp retorts from the TMC leadership. TMC MP Sougata Roy said that Ghosh’s comments once again proved that BJP used central agencies such as CBI and ED to further their political agenda and intimidate the Opposition parties.

"CBI and ED have been investigating many cases in Bengal for years, But are yet to make any significant comments. He (Ghosh) said such ridiculous things to boost the morale of BJP cadres," said Roy.

Speaking on the poll strategy of the BJP for the assembly polls, Ghosh said, "the party will have a special focus on social media campaign, and that is why Amit Malviya, who is the BJP's IT cell chief, has been deputed as the co-in charge of the state."

Ghosh also denied to attach much importance to the Congress-CPI(M) alliance in the state and said, both the parties have already been rejected twice, in the 2016 assembly polls and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.