West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blames Centre for Tapas Paul's death

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that Centre’s vendetta politics and consequent mental trauma caused the untimely death of former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and veteran Bengali actor Tapas Pal. She further alleged that the pressure tactics of Central agencies have resulted into the deaths of another former TMC MP Sultan Ahmed and the wife of TMC MP Prasun Banerjee.

“Tapas Pal’s death once again proved. He was extremely traumatised due to the pressure put on him by a government agency. Perhaps before dying he did not know what crime he committed. A film star like him spent a year in jail. What was his fault?” asked Banerjee. She was speaking to reporters after paying homage to Pal who passed away in Mumbai on the early hours of Tuesday.

Pal was an accused in the Rose Valley chit fund scam and was in jail for more than a year. He was the brand ambassador of the Rose Valley Group.

Banerjee further alleged that Pal put behind bars just because he received salary as the director of an entertainment company.

Referring to the death of former TMC MP and Union Minister Sultan Ahmed Banerjee said that no one is safe from the Centre’s vendetta politics.

She also said that the wife of Prasun Banerjee, another TMC MP also died of mental pressure after her husband’s name cropped up in the investigation of the Narada sting operation case. Ahmed was named as an accused in the Narada sting operation case.

“No one is safe from the Centre’s political vendetta and vengeful attitude. I have seen three deaths because it. Sultan Ahmed (former TMC MP) died. His family members told me that he died after receiving a letter and a phone call. Prashun Banerjee’s wife also died due to mental pressure,” said Banerjee.

Banerjee also said that eminent Bengali film producer Shrikant Mohta was also facing similar mental trauma.

The Chief Minister’s allegations drew sharp reaction from from BJP. Union Minister Babul Supriyo said that “ she never had any respect for Pal. He never got any respect in TMC which is filled with corruption.”