Bengal’s minister of state for consumer affairs Srikant Mahato was on Sunday showcaused by Trinamul for comments in a video where he purportedly accused senior party leaders, including national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and state president Subrata Bakshi, of allowing actorpoliticians to thrive as “assets” of the party “despite their corruption”.
By evening, Mahato gave an unconditional apology in writing. Speaking to this newspaper, he confirmed that he had made those remarks and said he had spoken “emotionally” at a “private gathering”. “It was not a political speech and someone secretly recorded the clip.… I have apolo¬gised in writing,” Mahato said.
In the video clip, Mahato is seen saying: “We tried to reach Mamata Banerjee (with our message) and tried to explain it to Abhishek Banerjee and Sub¬rata Bakshi. But they did not want to understand. They considered bad people good.”
“People like (Ghatal MP) Dev, (former MP) Sandhya Roy, (state secretary) Sayantika (Banerjee), (Midnapore MLA) June Maliah, (Basirhat MP) Nusrat (Jahan), (Jadavpur MP) Mimi (Chakraborty)... they are involved in looting. If these peo¬ple are considered to be the party’s assets, we can’t function here,” Mahato is seen saying.
“It is better if my ministerial berth is gone…. People are ac¬cusing all ministers of being thieves. Will the party rather listen to thieves and robbers?”Trinamul sources said the video clip was sent to the office of Abhishek, who directed Ajit Maiti, the party’s West Midna¬pore district coordinator, to showcause the minister.
“Now the party will decide on it,” said Maiti.Some of those named by Mahato said the matter was settled. “Srikant has been al¬ready showcaused and has apologised,” said June.“I won’t comment on this as the party's disciplinary committee is looking into it,” said Sayantika.
The BJP was quick to respond. “Trinamul is a party of looters anyway. The actors can better explain their reasons for joining politics. Srikant should clarify how those people are looting money,” said BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar.
