Mamata meets Sonia in Delhi amid TMC MPs’ rebellion:CID visits Kalighat office; second team reaches Abhishek’s office in fake LoP letter probe

A CID team on Tuesday reached the Trinamool Congress party office in Kolkata’s Kalighat area, adjacent to the residence of former Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, as part of its investigation into the alleged signature forgery case linked to the Assembly. CID team arrives at Kalighat office The state investigating agency arrived at the party office along with police personnel and central forces. A large contingent, including women police officers, was deployed at the site. However, the CID team was initially prevented from entering the premises and had to wait outside for nearly an hour. TMC MP denied entry to CID TMC treasurer and former MP Subhasish Chakraborty came out of the office and engaged in a heated exchange with the investigating officers. According to Chakraborty, both Mamata Banerjee and TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee were in New Delhi, and in their absence he was responsible for overseeing the office. He maintained that he could not allow CID officials to enter without their authorization. Second investigation team expected shortly Despite the objections, the CID continued to press for entry. After prolonged discussions and exchanges between investigators and TMC leaders, the agency was finally allowed inside the office shortly after 4 pm. The office at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street serves as both the TMC’s central party office and the address associated with Mamata Banerjee’s residence. Investigators are probing allegations that signatures of several TMC MLAs were forged on a letter sent to Assembly Speaker Rathin Basu regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition. Probe linked to alleged forgery case Sources said the meeting during which the MLAs’ signatures were allegedly collected had taken place at the Kalighat office. Investigators are seeking to determine who attended the meeting, who signed the document, and whether any irregularities occurred. The CID is also interested in collecting CCTV footage from the premises as part of the investigation. Another team of CID reached Abhishek Banerjee’s Camac Street office. Investigators verify origin of letterhead The agency has already issued notices to Abhishek Banerjee in connection with the case. On May 30, CID officials visited his Kalighat residence. He was directed to appear before investigators on June 1 but sought 14 days’ time instead. The request was reportedly not accepted. Subsequently, CID officials served another notice directing him to appear within seven days. However, he did not appear before investigators on Monday either. Party office address becomes key focus The CID is assisting the police in the signature forgery investigation, which has now expanded to include scrutiny of documents, CCTV records and the events surrounding the alleged collection of signatures at the Kalighat party office. Mamata meets Sonia after INDIA talks A day after an opposition INDIA bloc meeting stressed unity and better coordination among the alliance partners, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee met with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence on Tuesday. Alliance strategy discussions likely on agenda
The two leaders are expected to discuss the strategy between the two parties going forward after the opposition bloc meeting, and following an exodus of Trinamool members after the party’s defeat to the BJP in the recent West Bengal Assembly election. Meeting amid growing rebellion within TMC The meeting comes after Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, and Banerjee met each other warmly with a hug at the opposition bloc s meeting here on Monday. The Congress shared pictures of the bonhomie between the two leaders.
The meeting comes in the wake of a rebellion within the TMC, with several party MPs deciding to form a separate group and align with the ruling NDA.