Welcoming the Supreme Court order directing Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar to appear before the CBI, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that the nation is not run by the gun and gaurakshaks.

The 64-year-old Trinamool Congress leader has been holding a protest at Esplanade in Kolkata against the CBI for the last three days. “I think it’s our moral victory. We have respect for the judiciary. This order was passed earlier also that they can call mutually. Rajeev Kumar never said I will not be available,” she said.

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6:36 pm IST NDA will have to think twice from now: Chandrababu Naidu If there is any event after this, I will always be with Mamata Banerjee. Now if NDA wants to do anything, they have to think twice: Chandrababu Naidu





6:34 pm IST Is this emergency: Chandrababu Naidu Anybody who raises voice against the govt is put in jail. Is this emergency? We are with Mamata Banerjee. We will protect India, we will protect democracy, we will protect federalism: Chandrababu Naidu





6:30 pm IST Democracy is in danger: Chandrababu Naidu Everybody is corrupt except Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. What happened in Rafale deal? They are unable to tell us. I have never seen this kind of Prime Minister: Chandrababu Naidu





6:28 pm IST No one can do what Mamata has done: Chandrababu Naidu If you want to arrest police commissioner, it means you want to control them. You can’t control them. Bad situation prevailing in nation. No one can do what Mamata has done: Chandrababu Naidu





6:25 pm IST Next week, we will take up the issue in Delhi: Mamata Banerjee The Supreme Court gave a positive judgement today. Next week, we will take up the issue in Delhi: Mamata Banerjee





6:20 pm IST Mamata announces end to dharna This dharna is a victory for the Constitution and democracy, so let us end it today: Mamata Banerjee





5.15 pm IST BJP is lie factory. Modiji is the manufacturer: Tejashwi Yadav BJP is lie factory. Modiji is the manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler: Tejashwi Yadav, ends speech.





5.12 pm IST To save nation, oust BJP, Modi: Tejashwi This fight is not for the PM’s chair, but to save the nation. We appeal to all opposition parties to support Mamataji. It’s not har har Modi ghar ghar Modi, but bar-bar Modi and gadbad Modi. To save nation, oust Modi, BJP. They want to create tension, riots between Hindu-Muslim people.





5.10 pm IST Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi ran away. Where was the CBI then? asks Tejashwi Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya ran away with people’s money. Where was the CBI then? Former CBI director Alok Verma said he was pressured to file cases against political opponents.





5.07 pm IST I challenge CBI to launch probe against Amit Shah’s son: Tejashwi Tejashwi cites Mukul Roy and Nitish Kumar (calls him paltu chacha (turncoat uncle)) on chit fund scam and Srijan scam, asks why there is no probe in these cases, wonders how they became Harischandras (righteous people). “If you are honest, I challenge CBI to launch probe against Amit Shah’s son. But they won’t probe Amit Shah’s son. They will probe only those who stand against Modiji, those who speak the truth. Then I will acknowledge you are honest,” says Tejashwi.





5.05 pm IST PM has no answers: Tejashwi Yadav Narendra Modi has no answer to the question as to what he has done for the country. That is why he is harassing opposition leaders and putting them in jail.





5.02 pm IST Today there is a danger for democracy, all need to unite: Chandrababu Naidu Today there is a danger for democracy, there is a threat for national unity. All political parties, all citizens need to unite to protect this nation and democracy. BJP is blaming everybody for corruption except Modi and Shah. See how they are harassing madam, (Mamata Banerjee): Chandrababu Naidu





5 pm IST Have never seen this type of govt: Chandrababu Naidu I have never seen this type of government. I have been in politics for the last 40 years. Narendra Modi came in 2002, I was chief minister in 1995. Mamata was minister before him. She was central minister in 1998 in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.





4.58 pm IST Mamata good at tackling political issues and development: Chandrababu Mamata Banerjee is very good in tackling not only political issues, but also development issues. If she wins all the 42 seats (in Bengal), she will be the deciding factor at the national level. BJP is watching how to weaken her. Not only Mamata, all opposition parties. Ultimately they want to demoralise even the cadre. But TMC cadre are very strong. I am confident you are going to win all 42 seats with thumping majority.





4.57 pm IST BJP creating disturbances in Bengal, it hurts development: Chandrababu Naidu We will fight together. We are united, 23 parties. We will discuss and take a decision together. In West Bengal, BJP has no votes, it is just creating disturbances. It will hurt development of West Bengal.





4.55 pm IST BJP wanted to block development of all oppn-party states: Chandrababu Naidu We want development of people. BJP wanted to block development of all opposition party states, whether it is Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal or Delhi. : Chandrababu Naidu





4:20 pm IST Chandrababu Naidu arrives in Kolkata Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu arrives in Kolkata to meet Mamata Banerjee. West Bengal: Andhra Pradesh CM and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu arrives in Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/CofuHnaYXu — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2019





4:15 pm IST MHA asks Bengal govt to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Rajiv Kumar MHA has asked West Bengal government to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata police commissioner Rajiv Kumar for violation of All India Service Rules.





4:07 pm IST Smriti Irani slams Mamata Banerjee With egg on her face, to celebrate it (SC order) as a moral victory, is a dichotomy that is only available in the realms of Mamata Banerjee’s politics: Smriti Irani





4:00 pm IST CBI officers heckled on Mamata’s instructions: Smriti Irani There exists a state of lawlessness in West Bengal. The anarchist chief minister intervened in the process of collection of evidence by officers. On her instructions, officers were heckled, manhandled and detained, their families harassed, their homes surrounded: Union minister Smriti Irani





3:35 pm IST Hope we can protect, preserve our constitutional values: Akhilesh Yadav tweets letter “The developments in Bengal are a cause of concern for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation. I write this letter to my fellow Indians with the hope that we can protect and preserve our constitutional values and the institutions charged with upholding them,” tweeted SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. The developments in Bengal are a cause of concern for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.



I write this letter to my fellow Indians with the hope that we can protect and preserve our constitutional values and the institutions charged with upholding them. pic.twitter.com/0v14IrmONB — Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 5, 2019





2:45 pm IST Rajya Sabha proceedings washed out again Rajya Sabha proceedings were Tuesday washed out for the second day in a row amid protests by opposition parties, including TMC, SP and Congress, over alleged misuse of the CBI in West Bengal. As soon as the House resumed proceedings in the afternoon, members of the TMC, SP and Congress trooped into the well raising slogans like “Save Constitution, Save Nation”.





2:25 pm IST TMC not in contact with us for a year: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik “No one from TMC has been in contact with us for at least a year.Our party statement yesterday had to do with events in our state. We would like CBI to do a professional and non political job,” said Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik when asked if there has been any communication with WB CM over CBI matter.





2:15 pm IST I have not denied any permission: Mamata “I have not denied any permission (for UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s rally in West Bengal). He (Amit Shah) was unwell, even then came and addressed rallies, then why are they claiming that we are not letting them hold rallies,” said Mamata at the dharna side,” said West Bengal chief minister Mamata at dharna site in Kolkata.





1:52 pm IST Modi ji is troubling everyone: Mamata “PM Modi is troubling Mamata Banerjee, he is troubling everyone. They raid my house, then my secretary and now Mamata Banerjee. This is not right, not right for the democracy of the country,” said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, according to news agency ANI. Kejriwal also congratulated West Bengal chief minister after Supreme Court’s verdict on Kolkata top cop. “Congratulations Didi for the success of ur struggle,” he tweeted.





1:45 pm IST Mamata must resign: Vijayvargiya BJP National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya Tuesday thanked the Supreme Court for directing Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to appear before the CBI, saying it was a “victory of democracy” and demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The apex court Tuesday directed Kumar to make himself available before the CBI and “faithfully” cooperate with the agency in investigation of cases arising out of the Saradha chit fund scam probe. “The SC verdict is a victory of democracy. Mamata Banerjee should immediately tender resignation,” Vijayvergiya told PTI.





1:30 pm IST Mamata has put democracy in peril in West Bengal: UP Deputy CM Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya Tuesday alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had put democracy in peril in West Bengal and sought to know if Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar was an office bearer of her party TMC. Maurya’s remarks came in the backdrop of Banerjee staging a “Save India” dharna (sit-in) in Kolkata since Sunday night insisting that the CBI’s attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams was tantamount to stifling the spirit of “Constitution and federalism” in the country. “I feel that in West Bengal democracy is in peril. Someone occupying a constitutional post is violating the federal structure of the country. This certainly does not augur well for the democracy of the country,” Maurya told PTI in an interview.





1:20 pm IST Who is Mamata Ji scared of, asks Shivraj Singh Chouhan “Constitution permits all political parties to present their stand before the public. Who is Mamata Ji scared of? I have a rally in Berhampore tomorrow but I have been informed that the permission for my chopper’s landing and rally’s venue has not been given,” said former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.





1:00 pm IST ‘Yogi doesn’t have place in UP, that’s why roaming in Bengal’: Mamata “Ask Yogi to take care of Uttar Pradesh first. So many people have been killed, even police officers were murdered, so many people were lynched, he himself will lose if he contests elections. He doesn’t have a place to stand in UP that’s why he’s roaming around in Bengal,” said Mamata.





12:45 pm IST Lakhs of small investors were cheated, why is Mamata silent on this: Ravi Shankar Prasad “Today we’ve to ask larger questions on behalf of the party. Lakhs of small investors were cheated&looted off their money. Is it not our moral obligation for an investigation? Why is Mamata ji silent on this? Why are the other political parties silent on this’” asked Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. “This order was given by SC to investigate the conspiracy angle and also money laundering angle. This investigation must be done in a fair manner. Let’s not politicise it. This is a great moral victory for CBI,” he added.





12:35 pm IST Govt settling scores with Oppn after interfering in autonomous bodies: Kharge “The government is settling scores with opposition after interfering in autonomous bodies. We are fighting against those elements. It is not about an individual, an officer or a party, we are fighting against govt’s attempt to discredit autonomous bodies,” said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.





12:25 pm IST Rajeev Kumar never said he’ll not be available: Mamata “Rajeev Kumar never said he’ll not be available. He said we want to meet at mutual place,if you want to ask for any clarification, you can come and we can sit,” said Mamata on SC directing Kolkata police commissioner to make himself available and fully cooperate.





12:15 pm IST If required, officers may be required for personal appearance: SC “It has also been made clear by the Supreme Court in its order that personal appearance, after filing of replies, of concerned officers may be required and it’ll be communicated by Secretary General of SC on February 19, if such appearance is required on 20,” said Nalin Kohli, senior lawyer and BJP leader on contempt plea, according to news agency ANI.





12:01 pm IST Next Supreme Court hearing on February 20 The next hearing of the case will be on February 20.





11:50 am IST Tomorrow, they will take me to CBI for eating food, wearing chappals: Mamata “I shall consult other leaders whether I will continue the dharna. This is not a TMC dharna, but one to save the Constitution. So many people are involved in the chit funds. Assam’s deputy CM is involved too. He took Rs 3 crore. Has he been arrested? Babul Supriyo said I am a rose of the Rose Valley group. Has anything happened to him? To raise funds for the elections, my paintings are sold. Tomorrow, they will take me to the CBI for eating food and wearing chappals,” said Mamata after Supreme Court’s order on Kolkata top cop.





11:46 am IST Gun and gaurakshaks will not run this country: Mamata “Mamata Banerjee says CBI-Kolkata police commissioner tussle was nothing but political vendetta. We are not against the officer of any investigative agency. They are also our brothers and sisters. But they should not be used politically. This time the message has reached the grassroots that Modiji will not return. The country is not run by the gun and gaurakshaks. The country has to run with the help of the Constitution,” said Mamata.





11:34 am IST Mamata explains Supreme Court order “There are four points in the Supreme Court order. 1. They alleged contempt of court against us. It was rejected. 2. They brought a lot of allegations against Rajeev Kumar -- it was rejected. 3. Discussions can take place at a mutually agreed place, which we said earlier. We sent five letters and they did not reply to a single one. 4. Rajeev Kumar can’t be arrested,” explained West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.





11:22 am IST Our movement is a people’s movement: Mamata “Our movement is a people’s movement. Modi will not return to power. They are putting in trouble everybody -- common people, farmers, artists. They alleged tampering of evidence -- it was turned down. Rajeev Kumar cannot be arrested, the court has said. They are arresting people from Bengal and putting them in jails of Odisha. They are taking some to Delhi, while some to Odisha. They arrested Lalu Prasad Yadav and took him to Jharkhand. It’s (the SC order) a victory of democracy. It’s a six year-old case (Saradha chit fund case). It happened in the era of the CPI(M). We arrested Sudipta Sen. We set up the judicial commission which returned Rs 300 crore. And they allege that we are responsible,” said Mamata.





11:20 am IST ‘Nobody is the big boss of this country’: Mamata welcomes SC order “Nobody is the big boss of this country, democracy is the big boss of this country,” said West bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee welcoming Supreme Court’s order on Kolkata top cop Rajeev Kumar.





11:15 am IST We respect central forces: Mamata “I am not pleading for Rajeev Kumar, I am pleading for millions of people. Chandrababu Naidu is coming today (at the dharna stage). I am not alone. I shall discuss with Naveen Patnaikji also. He also gave me support. I will consult them and let you know (our next step). We respect the central forces. The victory is for the people of the country,” said Mamata.





11:10 am IST It’s our moral victory: Mamata on SC order on Kolkata top cop “I think it’s our moral victory. We have respect for the judiciary and This order was passed earlier also that they can call mutually. Rajeev Kumar never said I will not be available. If you need any clarification, you can come. They came to arrest. The court said no arrest. We are grateful for the order. We welcome the verdict. Our case is strong. We never said we will never cooperate. We have sent five letters.” said Mamata after the SC order on Kolkata top cop Rajeev Kumar.





10:57 am IST SC directs Kolkata top cop to appear before CBI in chit fund case “We will direct the Police Commissioner to make himself available and fully cooperate. We will deal with contempt petition later,” observed CJI.





10:52 am IST SC begins hearing on Saradha chit fund case The Supreme Court has commenced the hearing on pleas of probe agency in Saradha chit fund scam case. Attorney General K K Venugopal opens argument on behalf of CBI, alleges destruction of evidence in Saradha chitfund scam case. Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar was heading SIT set up by West Bengal govt to probe chit fund scam, said Attorney General, according to news agency PTI.





10:51 am IST Calcutta HC adjourns hearing in Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar case till Thursday Calcutta Hihgh Court adjourns hearing in Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar case till Thursday as the Supreme Court is seized of the matter.





10:38 am IST Have proof against cops, politicians: CBI files affidavit in SC CBI files affidavit in the Supreme Court alleging there are several incriminating material/correspondence that was collected during the investigation by the CBI against the senior police officials as well as senior politicians, according to news agency ANI.





10:30 am IST Mamata’s dharna enters third day West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s sit-in against the CBI’s attempt to question the Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams continued for the third day on Tuesday. Banerjee sat on a “Save India” dharna in front of Metro Cinema in the heart of the city on Sunday night insisting that the latest CBI action was tantamount to stifling the spirit of “Constitution and federalism” in the country. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu are expected to visit the dharna site at Metro Channel on Tuesday, sources said.





10:20 am IST Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu to visit Kolkata meet Mamata Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday will visit Kolkata to meet West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and express his solidarity. After presentation of the Vote-on-Account budget in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Naidu will fly to Kolkata, where Banerjee continues her sit-in to protest against the attempted raid by the CBI on the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Naidu will reach Kolkata around 3.30 p.m. and meet Banerjee and extend his support.





10:05 am IST Jaitley slams opposition for backing Mamata Union Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday slammed opposition parties backing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s ongoing sit-in protest against the Centre and called them the “Kleptocrat’s Club” that “aspires to capture the reigns of India”. In a blog, Jaitley hit out at Banerjee, dubbing her act as a “disproportionate over reaction” aimed at projecting herself as a “nucleus” of opposition parties. “Mamata Banerjee’s disproportionate over-reaction to the CBI wanting to interrogate the Kolkata Police chief has flagged several issues for a public discourse. The most important being that a Kleptocrat’s Club now aspires to capture the reigns of India,” he said.





10:00 am IST Mamata vs CBI escalates into Opposition against Modi govt A political firestorm raged Monday as Mamata Banerjee’s sit-in protest against CBI’s bid to question Kolkata police chief in chit fund scam cases entered the second day, with the West Bengal Chief Minister declaring her agitation to save the “Constitution and country” will go on and she was ready to face the consequences. Virtually all opposition parties rallied behind Banerjee’s direct confrontation with the Modi government, even as the BJP called it an “alliance of corrupt” and Home Minister Rajnath Singh told Parliament that developments in West Bengal were indicative of a “breakdown of the Constitution”.



