Signature scandal deepens: CID probes legitimacy of TMC LoP selection letter

Kolkata: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has started a probe on the discrepancy over the signatures of Trinamool MLAs in connection with the signature row in the selection of Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay as Leader of Opposition (LoP). Some MLAs claimed that they did not sign the proposal which chose the LoP while some MLAs said they were absent.

The CID has started meeting the MLAs on the issue. The CID team reached Chowranghee MLA Nayna Bandhopadhyay’s residence with a handwriting expert. The investigators stayed there for about an hour and a half.

Bandopadhyay said, “I was present at the meeting but forgot to sign.”

Confusion prevailed regarding the resolution of the opposition party. CID started interrogating and speaking to the MLAs, including LoP Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.

Chattopadhyay said CID officials had come to his residence and interrogated him for several hours, which was unprecedented.

“The party is looking into the matter in regard to the appointment of LoP. CID officials had contacted me. I waited till 3 pm on Friday but no one came to my residence,” Trinamool Beleghata MLA Kunal Ghosh said.
The investigation started following a complaint by the Principal Secretary of the Assembly.Incidentally, on the first day of the Trinamool Parliamentary Party meeting, a letter was given to Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay appointing him as LoP.

The controversy started when Trinamool Congress leader Chattopadhyay, the leader of the Opposition-designate for the 18th Assembly, submitted a letter from his party recognising him as LoP, signed by Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, to claim the position. However, the secretariat demanded a letter signed by the 80-member legislature party, including signatures from Trinamool MLAs.

Chattopadhyay is Ballygunge MLA and a member of the House since 1991.