Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik backs Mamata Banerjee, says CBI must do a professional job

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday reportedly extended support to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee amid an ongoing tussle between the CBI and Kolkata police. Patnaik said that CBI should do a professional and non-political job. “We would like the CBI to do a professional and non-political job,” the chief minister said.

His remarks came hours after Banerjee said that she will consult the Biju Janata Leader (BJD) leader in connection with her tussle with the Centre over the CBI move against Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar. However, Patnaik said that there has been no communication with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over CBI matter. 

Earlier, the BJD in a statement said, "Institutional integrity of the CBI has to be restored. We are a mature democracy and professionalism should be maintained."

Even in Odisha, sudden action by the CBI had come just before panchayat elections in the past, it said, adding, "Now, before the general elections, the move smacks of unprofessional conduct and is coloured with political motives."

Hitting out at the BJP, Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik tweeted, "What's happening in Bengal is a shameless display of abuse of power, throttling of our institutions and a blatant attack on our federal structure. Every patriotic Indian should stand up to evil designs of the Modi-Shah duo who are on mission to undermine our Constitution (sic)."

"The resilience of @MamataOfficial against the nefarious designs of BJP is commendable," he said in another tweet. 

Congress stalwart and leader of opposition in Odisha Narasingha slammed the CBI move in West Bengal and alleged that the central investigating agency was being used as a political weapon ahead of the elections.

The manner in which the CBI tried to question the Kolkata police chief was inappropriate, he told reporters. 

With PTI Inputs