CBI, ED can't deter me from public service: Abhishek Banerjee

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee claims that “threats by Central agencies” can’t deter him from public service

Days after being summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in connection with the school jobs scam, senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee asserted that "threats by central agencies" can't deter him from public service.

Speaking at a workers' convention in Bankura district of West Bengal late on May 22 night, the TMC national general secretary dared the BJP to "fight him in the people's court rather than using the shield of central agencies".

"The BJP uses central agencies to fight against me. Such threats and intimidation by using CBI and ED against me won't deter me from public service or reaching out to masses. If they [BJP] have power, I challenge them to fight me in the people's court," he said.

Mr. Banerjee claimed that while he was being questioned by the CBI, BJP leaders were "busy having feast with hope of him getting arrested".

Also read: School jobs scam | Supreme Court to hear Abhishek Banerjee’s plea on May 26

"During my nine-and-a-half hour-long questioning on Saturday, BJP leaders were spreading rumours that the CBI will arrest me and they were having a gala feast but as I came out, their hopes got shattered," he said.

The Diamond Harbour MP dared the Central agency "to arrest him if it has any proof against him of corruption or misconduct".