Leader’s arrest puts BJP in a fix

Kolkata: The state BJP and TMC Wednesday traded charges on the issue of black money, with the ruling party asking the former to come clean on their “party leader” Manish Sharma who was arrested with cash worth Rs 33 lakh. The BJP, however, claimed it had suspended Sharma way back in June. “Those who are talking of fighting black money by demonetisation have black money hoarders within their own party. They have given tickets to such criminals,” senior TMC leader and Firhad Hakim said. “It only shows the true colours of BJP and their fake intention to fight black money. Those who themselves are thieves can’t talk of fighting black money,” he said.

Reacting to Mr Hakim’s statement, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said, “Yes, he was our party candidate (from Asansol in Burdwan) in the 2016 Assembly polls. But he was suspended on June 30 after allegations were raised against them.”