Saradha scam: Chidambaram hits out at Mamata

With Mamata Banerjee targeting him on the Saradha scam issue, Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday rejected allegations by the West Bengal Chief Minister that Enforcement Directorate was acting at his behest.

He also asked why the Chief Minister was concerned about people ‘charged with wrongdoings’ and said she should instead be bothered about the victims.

Banerjee, whose party is facing the heat in the midst of Lok Sabha elections in Bengal over the Saradha scam, had a few days back accused Chidambaram of prodding central agencies to target Trinamool Congress leaders.

"Since election has come, you have sent the Enforcement Directorate, Chidambaram babu. . . I have heard that your wife's name is there in the Saradha complaint. I have seen the FIR copy. . . Law will take its own course," the Chief Minister added.

Replying to questions about Banerjee's charge against his wife, Chidambaram said that this has been clarified eight months ago that she had had appeared as a professional and was advising another woman, who had contemplated business transaction.

He said that the renumeration by his wife for this was received through a cheque.

"The chief minister is free to make allegations but why she is concerned about people, who have been charged with wrong doing. “CM should be concerned with victims of wrongdoings," the Finance Minister said.

He also dismissed suggestions that he had given any directions in the case. "I do not monitor or give directions in individual cases," he said, adding that investigations in this particular case is on in the wake of a Calcutta High Court order.

Also, a petition on the issue is pending before the Supreme Court.

He said that if ED had taken any action in the case, it has taken on its own and he was not even briefed on this as he was away for last three weeks.

Image: P Chidambaram