Kolkata: Following Sunday’s arrest of a key 26/11 conspirator for carrying out a recce of TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s house and office, CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused BJP of being behind the conspiracy. Referring to opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, she said, “During the elections, a traitor in BJP said he would explode a bomb.If they have a grudge against me, they can kill me with a bomb. They even tried to kill Abhishek, but we came to know about it in advance. The accused even conducted a recce of Abhishek’s residence, called him on Facetime, and asked for an appointment. Had Abhishek given him time, the accused would have shot him and fled. These people want to kill or put behind bars everyone who speaks against them.”
TMC Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien said, “On Saturday, Adhikari made a statement about dropping a bomb on Monday. And what happens? A 26/11-like terror attack was busted by Kolkata Police. The attack was planned on Abhishek Banerjee. There are enough links of the accused Rajaram Rege having links with the 26/11 attack. He had met Headley. This same person was outside the office and residence of Abhishek. He also approached some people. We must congratulate KP for the job… if BJP wants to fight politically, then do so. Is this the level you would go to plan such catastrophic acts?”
Kolkata Police’s Special Task Force (STF) on Sunday arrested Rege (53) at his residence in Mumbai for carrying out a recce of Abhishek’s residence and offices between April 18 and 20. Police said Rege carried out videography using hidden spy cams, used a fake name and collected the numbers of Abhishek and aide Sumit Roy, and tried to fix appointments with them.