Allegations and Denials: TMC MP Mahua Moitra Accuses Union Minister Shantanu Thakur of Facilitating Smugglers on Indo-Bangladesh Border
Kolkata: The political arena heated up recently as Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra accused Union Minister Shantanu Thakur of aiding smugglers along the India-Bangladesh border. Moitra, known for her outspoken stance, took to social media platform X to share a purported letter signed by Thakur, alleging it was used to grant passage to smugglers transporting 3 kg of beef.
“The Union Minister has printed forms on official letterhead for @BSF_India 85BN, issuing ‘passes’ for smugglers on the Indo-Bangla border. In this instance, it was to allow 3 kgs of beef,” Moitra tweeted on Monday, sparking a contentious debate.
Thakur, a prominent figure within the Matua community and representing the Bongaon Lok Sabha constituency, swiftly refuted Moitra’s claims. “The allegation is baseless. It appears Mahua Moitra has made it a habit to level unfounded accusations,” Thakur asserted in response to the allegations.
“Why would someone smuggle only three kgs of beef? Isn’t that absurd? She knows such passes are issued in border areas to ease local issues. She has deliberately concealed this fact,” Thakur further elaborated in his statement to PTI, dismissing the accusation as misleading.
Adding to the discourse, Moitra’s allegations were backed by Nilanjan Das, the general secretary of the TMC IT Cell, who shared a video featuring an individual named Jiyarul Ghazi, purportedly linked to the issued pass.
This exchange underscores the intensifying political tensions in West Bengal, where allegations of malfeasance and sharp rebuttals have become commonplace. As the debate rages on, both sides continue to stand firm on their positions, leaving the public to navigate through the conflicting narratives presented.
The allegations against Thakur, coupled with his staunch denial, set the stage for further scrutiny and debate over the role of officials in managing border security and local issues, amplifying the discourse on governance and accountability.
