India
Banerjee Questioned for Four Hours Over May 2 ‘Gujarati Gang’ Comments
Mamata All India Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee was questioned by Kolkata Police for about four hours on Saturday. The questioning followed a case registered against him in May, according to a police officer. Banerjee’s remarks were made on May 2, when he responded to a social media post by BJP leader Amit Malviya. Malviya had written, “The Diamond Harbour model crumbles.” Banerjee replied on X, saying: “Ten lifetimes won’t be enough for you Bangla birdohi Gujarati gang and their stooge Gyanesh Kumar to put even a dent in my Diamond Harbour model. Bring everything you have got. I challenge the entire Union of India – Come to Falta. Send your strongest, send one of the godfathers from Delhi. If you have got the nerve contest in Falta.” The Election Commission of India conducted repolls at 15 polling stations in the Diamond Harbour and Magrahat Paschim assembly constituencies on May 2. The commission had not yet decided on repolls in the Falta constituency. The assembly poll results were announced on May 4. On May 27, a complaint was filed against Banerjee for his X post. The complainant, Arnabkanti Biswas, said the post insulted the Gujarati community and challenged the Union of India. A fresh FIR was also registered at Girish Park police station over remarks Banerjee made against state police. Banerjee has said he was maintaining a list of police officers acting on BJP orders and that none would be spared once the regime changed. He stated he has faced the ED, CBI and police before and will continue to cooperate. BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said multiple FIRs have been lodged against Banerjee since the BJP came to power in May after the assembly polls, and that Banerjee’s statements are anti‑constitutional and that he has no political immunity.