Partha Chatterjee removed as minister from all 3 departments, says West Bengal govt

Partha Chatterjee, accused in the School Service Commission (SSC) scam and arrested six days ago, was today removed from all three departments of the West Bengal government he was in charge of. Chatterjee was minister of state Commerce and Industries, Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs departments. These departments are now being handled by the chief minister, till new a new minister or ministers are put on charge. Mamata Banerjee said this during a meeting in the city today.

Partha Chatterjee was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the SSC scam which allegedly took place when he was state education minister. Over Rs 50 crore in cash and gold and silver jewellery were recovered from Arpita Chatterjee, a close aide of the minister over the past few days in two separate raids by the ED from two flats apparently owned by her.

There have been increasing demand from within the Trinamool Congress to remove Chatterjee from all posts in the government and in the party. This morning, Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh tweeted demanding this, though he later removed the tweet saying the party has taken over the responsibility of discussing the matter. A meeting has been called in the office of Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress national general secretary where a decision on the matter is likely to be taken.