The TMC also alleged that money exchanged hands during the “52-minute meeting”, and said it would move the Supreme Court for a probe into it.

“Jitendra Tiwari met (NIA SP) Singh at his flat. While entering the complex, Singh signed the visitor’s book where he identified himself as JK Tiwari. The address he gave was Saraswati Niketan, 5 Camac Street, where his daughter Pallavi lives in Kolkata. He entered the premises at 6.30 pm and left at 7.22 pm… There was a huge financial exchange in a white envelope, which Tiwari carried to the SP’s house… The meeting took place on March 26 where the conspiracy to arrest TMC leaders was hatched, and on April 6, it was executed in Bhupatinagar,” said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.

“If anyone challenges this, we will release the security camera footage within 48 hours,” Ghosh, who was accompanied by state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, said at a press conference.

The TMC in a statement also alleged that Tiwari met the NIA SP “on the directions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah”.

“NIA SP DR Singh is one of the most trusted officers of Amit Shah. Previously, he was in SPG. When the model code of conduct is in effect, the BJP is misusing agencies, while the Election Commission remains mum. To win the election, the BJP is giving names of TMC leaders to the Central agencies to harass them,” the TMC statement said.

Tiwari, however, rejected the charge and said he would quit politics if the TMC could prove its allegations. Demanding an apology from the TMC and threatening to file defamation suits, Tiwari said: “If it is proved that we held any such meeting, then I will leave politics. Feeling the pressure, the TMC is trying to brand the NIA raid as a political conspiracy,” said Tiwari, who was earlier with the TMC.

“According to the laws of our country, they (TMC) should prove the allegations against me. Apologise if you can’t prove it, or I will file a defamation case within seven days,” he added.