ED raids Bengal Food Minister's house in alleged civic body scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday raided the residence of West Bengal Food and Supplies Minister Rathin Ghosh in connection with an alleged recruitment scam in the Madhyamgram Municipality.

As per sources, more than a dozen premises linked to Ghosh have been covered in the state including North 24 Parganas District and Kolkata.

Ghosh is the former chairman of the Madhyamgram Municipality and is accused of being involved in an alleged scam to recruit ineligible candidates for government jobs.

The raid on the Bengal minister came just days after top TMC leaders' protested against the Centre in New Delhi on October 2 and October 3.

The TMC has also called on its cadre to march to the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata today against what they allege is the BJP's attempts to silence the party.

"We stand resolute in our determination, unwavering in the face of BJP's desperate attempts to silence us. Despite their oppressive tactics and ruthless suppression of our peaceful protests in Dilli, Bengal remains undeterred. Come what may, we won't bow down to the Zamindars. We shall march to Raj Bhavan today, upholding the rights of the people!" the TMC posted on X.

The TMC also alleged that the Governor CV Ananda Bose had refused to grant the party time to meet them.

"Yesterday, we extended a courteous letter to the @BengalGovernor, seeking an appointment today to discuss a matter of utmost importance - Bengal's funds being withheld by the @BJP4India -led Centre. In response to the Governor's message that he is 'unavailable', our Rajya Sabha MP @derekobrienmp sent an email, requesting a meeting once he returns to Kolkata following his visit to North Bengal. However, it is deeply troubling that in his initial response, the Governor suggested that the delegation could travel to North Bengal and meet him in one of the circuit houses or relief camps. This suggestion reeks of a Zamindari Culture, a relic of a bygone era that we vehemently disapprove of and are committed to fighting against" the TMC posted on X.

The TMC is also protesting against these fresh raids on the Bengal minister and another summons issued to TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.