TMC Leader Mahua Moitra Alleges Union Minister’s Involvement in Smuggling Passes at Indo-Bangla Border
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/8th July 2024
On Monday morning, Mahua Moitra, TMC leader and Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal’s Krishnanagar constituency, made a significant allegation against Union Minister Shantanu Thakur. She accused him of issuing “passes” for smugglers at the Indo-Bangla border, specifically permitting the transportation of beef. Moitra took to social media platform X to share a purported official letterhead of Shantanu Thakur addressed to the 85th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF).
In her post, Moitra claimed, “The Union Minister has printed forms on official letterhead to the 85th Battalion of BSF issuing ‘passes’ for smugglers on the Indo-Bangla border. In this case, for allowing 3 kgs of beef.” She also tagged the official handles of the Home Ministry, Gau Rakshak Senas, and Godi Media, highlighting the severity of her allegations.
While the Free Press Journal has not verified the authenticity of the letter, the implications of such accusations are profound. Reports indicate that BJP’s Bongaon MP Thakur is under scrutiny from opposition parties for allegedly issuing permissions on his MP letterhead for conducting various business activities in the India-Bangladesh border area. The approval for beef transportation has reportedly angered the RSS, with a leader from the Bengal chapter of an RSS organization expressing astonishment at the alleged endorsement of such “illegal activities.”
Biswajit Das, representing the Trinamool Congress’s Bongaon party organization, accused Thakur of selling ‘MP Permits’ to individuals for conducting these unlawful activities. A BSF official has indicated that the force prohibits such actions and will investigate the matter thoroughly.
This controversy adds to the recent string of incidents involving Mahua Moitra. Last week, the Delhi Police filed an FIR against her for a “derogatory” social media post about National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma. The TMC leader had commented on a video showing Sharma arriving at the site of a stampede in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras. Moitra later deleted the post, but the FIR indicates ongoing tensions.
These developments come at a time when the political climate is highly charged. Moitra’s allegations against Thakur bring to the forefront issues of corruption and the misuse of political power, particularly in sensitive border areas. The accusations suggest a breach of trust and security, raising questions about the integrity of those in power.
As the situation unfolds, it is imperative for authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to verify the authenticity of the alleged letter and the accusations made by Moitra. The outcome of such investigations will not only impact the political careers of those involved but also the trust of the public in their elected officials.
The accusations against Thakur, if proven true, could lead to significant political repercussions, not just for him but for the BJP and its allies. On the other hand, if found to be baseless, the allegations could backfire on Moitra and the TMC, further straining political relations. In any case, this incident underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in public office, especially concerning issues of national security and integrity.
