Saradha effect? Mamata Banerjee avoiding her close minister, says report

Kolkata, Sept 13:

Chief Minister

has allegedly censored a couple of her ministers to prevent her name from being dragged further into the

scam.

[Read: Trinamool MP's links with SIMI, Bangladesh outfits]

According to a report published in Anandabazaar Patrika on Saturday, State Transport Minister Madan Mitra, who is known to be close to the chief minister, has been sidelined and there are even talks of Mitra being replaced in case he is summoned by the CBI, which is probing the Saradha chit fund scam.

Two of Mitra's close aides were interrogated by the central investigative agency a few days ago.

Mitra has also been asked not to make much public appearance and also devote less time in official business. He has also been asked to speak cautiously in the open and avoid the media, the report added. He has even been asked not to attend cabinet meetings.

The chief minister reportedly avoided visiting a new jetty which has been set up by the state transport department. Although authorities said the CM did not go to the jetty for its inauguration because of the bypoll code of conduct, others said she deliberately avoided Mitra's department.

State Textiles Minister Shyamaprasad Mukhopadhyay has also been sidelined following his interrogation by the the Enforcement Directorate in connection to the scam.

Oneindia News