Mamata's "political histrionics" brought to halt: BJP

The BJP on Monday said the Supreme Court brought West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "political histrionics" to a screeching halt by directing Kolkata police commissioner to make himself available before the CBI and "faithfully" cooperate with the agency in an investigation into the alleged chit fund scam.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Union minister Smriti Irani also took a swipe at Mamata's claim of "moral victory" after the apex court order, saying the West Bengal chief minister has been "left with egg on her face".

The Supreme Court's order should be a matter of "introspection and concern" for her, not "celebration" Irani added.

West Bengal chief minister in Kolkata welcomed the apex court's order, saying it's "absolutely correct".

The apex court's direction that no coercive step, including the arrest of Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar, will take place during the course of the investigation is "our moral victory", she also said.

"With egg on her face, to celebrate it as a moral victory is a dichotomy available only to Mamata Banerjee's realm of politics," Irani told reporters while reacting to Mamata's comments.

Irani welcomed the Supreme Court's order, saying it "certified" that the a state of lawlessness was there in the West Bengal.

"One needs to look into the aspect that Rajeev was directed to appear before a neutral place (Shillong), thereby certifying that there is lawlessness in West Bengal," she said.

Irani called Mamata as an "anarchist chief minister", alleging that the West Bengal chief minister "intervened" in the process of collection of evidence by the CBI in connection with the case.

"Upon her (Mamata) instructions, officers were manhandled, families harassed, homes surrounded," she also charged.

The Supreme Court has "directed" a response from the West Bengal chief secretary, director general of police and police commissioner, Irani noted.

"Today, I am assured that apart from the BJP, 20 lakh victims of the chit fund scam will join us to convey our gratitude to the Supreme Court," she said.

While replying to a question, Irani also took on the Opposition parties that extended their support to Mamata, saying "it's a podium for all scamsters, podium for those who support state-sponsored anarchy".