Two senior BJP leaders in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhiakri and Jagannath Chattopadhyay, have challenged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to substantiate her claims regarding their involvement in the coal smuggling case or face defamation proceedings. Adhiakri’s counsel has issued a defamation notice to the Chief Minister, demanding the alleged evidence within 72 hours. Similarly, Chattopadhyay has posted a video message on social media, daring Banerjee to prove the accusations promptly.
Chattopadhyay, who recently became the state vice-president of BJP, previously held the position of state general secretary. The challenge from both leaders follows Banerjee’s statements linking the coal smuggling proceeds in West Bengal to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through Chattopadhyay or Adhikari. Chattopadhyay emphasized his past as a journalist during the peak coal smuggling period and threatened to disclose supporting documents if needed to defend his reputation.
“I challenge the Chief Minister to present the alleged evidence within 72 hours or face legal repercussions,” Chattopadhyay asserted, highlighting his readiness to make public the documents he gathered as a journalist if required.
