Bengal will burn if Mamata arrested: Trinamool MP

Facing the heat over the CBI probe in the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam in which four Trinamool Congress leaders have been arrested, a party MP has warned West Bengal will burn if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is arrested.

Describing Banerjee as "agnikanya" (daughter of fire), Trinamool Lok Sabha member from Basirhat, Idris Ali warned that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not be able to handle her.

"I am warning those who are behind this malicious campaign, including Narendra Modi's BJP, that if Mamata Banerjee is touched or arrested, entire Bengal will be on fire and many will have to die in this blaze," Ali said at a party meeting in his constituency, the video of which was aired by TV channels Wednesday.

"She is not only the 'agnikanya' of Bengal but of entire India, and even Modi will not be able to handle her if this malicious campaign that she has taken money from the Saradha scam continues," Ali said.

The opposition slammed Ali's comments.

"Already four of their leaders are in jail and Trinamool's involvement in the scam is no more a secret. By making provocative statements, their leaders are now trying to divert the people attention," said CPI-M politburo member Sitaram Yechury.

Echoing Yechury's views, BJP state president Rahul Sinha said: "The chief minister was
afraid of her inevitable arrest. So, she has unleashed her party leaders to target the CBI."

Banerjee, who herself has been attacking the central government for using the Central Bureau of Investigation as a political tool, dared the centre to arrest her.

"BJP leaders come here and say 'bhag Mamata bhag' (run Mamata run). They say Mamata Banerjee will have to be arrested. Is it that easy? Do they think it is like popping a lollypop," Banerjee had said Tuesday.