Trinamool Congress supremo Mahua Mitra has made it a point to say to the Election Commission that the CBI Raised the House in West Bengal four times within a year. Moitra recommended the consideration of a mechanism that will govern what actions the CBI is allowed while a code of conduct is still in force. CBI was recently searching Moitra’s house in Kolkata, Krishnaganj, and Karmipurrelating an alleged ‘bribe for a question’ case that had led to her expulsion from the last Lok Sabha.
Echoing in her letter to the Election Commission, Moitra asserted that the C.B.I. itself identified the two premises it would raid (as these were on the CBI’s search lists) as officially owned. One was the campaign office she had during her election campaign, and another was the Member of Parliament office. Moitra unambiguously said that the CBI and its many actions were intended to hinder her candidacy and subject her to indiscriminate harassment without any proof, and this is irrefutably unjust.
Even though stepping out of the CBI Commission with hands at its back, Moitra has solely stressed that her reputation and character had been at stake, and guests now look at her with malice and disdain. She said if the opposition is taken cautiously, one might think there is some level of political adventure and trickery.
Stating that it was leaving the Election Commission with no other alternative but to be vigilant, Moitra reminded the Election Commission of its responsibility of ensuring that it not only creates a level playing field for all political parties but is also equipped to deal with political emergencies. She emphasized the need to implement necessary provisions created to allow the inspection entities to be out of the hands of a ruling party and, hence, unable to use their powers to favor the central government during a power struggle with the political opposition.
The observations set forth by Mahua Moitra should be investigated by the Election Commission, an act that raises questions not only about the notional independence but also the disciplinary attitude of the ongoing investigating authority. The commission will be expected to curb these concerns and step in as needed to ensure the equitable, open, and transparent nature of elections.
