In a significant development in the alleged forged signatures case involving Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators, a team of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday visited the party's central office at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street in Kolkata, which also serves as the Kalighat residence of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
According to sources, officials of the state investigating agency arrived at the premises around noon, accompanied by personnel from the Kalighat Police Station and a sizeable contingent of women police officers. The visit was part of the CID's ongoing investigation into allegations that signatures of several TMC legislators were forged on a proposal submitted to the West Bengal Assembly Speaker concerning the recognition of the Leader of Opposition.
The CID's visit is reportedly linked to information provided by TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in response to a notice issued by the investigating agency earlier. Officials said that in his reply, Banerjee informed the CID that signatures of party MLAs had been collected at the TMC's central office located at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street.
"In his response, Abhishek Banerjee stated that signatures of MLAs were collected at the party's central office. Based on that statement, we have come here as part of the investigation," a CID officer said.
However, the investigation took a dramatic turn when the CID team was reportedly prevented from entering the premises. Sources indicated that a brief exchange took place between investigators and individuals managing the office before the team was denied access.
Defending the party's stance, senior TMC leader and former MP Subhasish Chakraborty said the search could not be permitted in the absence of Abhishek Banerjee.
"We have not allowed the CID to enter the premises in the absence of Abhishek Banerjee. Once he comes, the CID can come and search the house," Chakraborty told reporters.
The standoff has added a fresh layer of political intrigue to a controversy that has already exposed deep divisions within the ruling party.
The forged signatures controversy emerged after a proposal seeking recognition of senior TMC legislator Sovandeb Chattopadhyay as the Leader of Opposition allegedly carried forged signatures of several party MLAs. The allegations prompted the registration of an FIR and the launch of a CID investigation, which has since intensified.
The dispute is rooted in a larger political battle within the TMC over the selection of the Leader of Opposition following the Assembly elections. What began as differences within the party leadership gradually escalated into a full-fledged rebellion.
The crisis deepened when 58 of the TMC's 80 MLAs reportedly opposed the party leadership and backed expelled MLA Ritabrata Banerjee for the post instead of the party's official nominee, Sovandeb Chattopadhyay. In a major setback for the party leadership, the rebel faction later claimed control of the legislature party, elected Ritabrata Banerjee as Leader of Opposition, and secured recognition from the Assembly Speaker.
The episode has evolved into one of the most serious internal challenges faced by the TMC in recent years. Political observers note that the developments represent the first formal split within the party since its formation in 1998, marking a critical phase in the organisation's political journey.
As the CID continues its investigation, the outcome of the probe is expected to have significant political ramifications for the ruling party and the broader political landscape of West Bengal.
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