'Appalled at false statements': Mamata Banerjee on Suvendu's Amit Shah call remark, TMC threatens legal action

On Tuesday Adhikari claimed at a rally in Hooghly's Singur that Banerjee had dialled Union Home Minister Amit Shah four times to request him to repeal the Election Commission's decision revoking TMC’s national party status.

In a letter to Adhikari, Trinamool's leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O'Brien referred to Banerjee saying that "No such conversation ever took place between her and Amit Shah."

The letter was posted on the Trinamool's official Twitter handle with the party tagging both Shah and Adhikari under the caption "See you in court".

The letter alleged that by making such a "false" statement, Adhikari has attempted to "defame our party and mislead the public".

"It is evident that you have caused to make a such an incorrect and motivated statement without making any enquiry to verify its authenticity including from Sri Amit Shah and in fact knowing the same to be a lie," O'Brien stated.

"Under such circumstances, we call upon you to immediately withdraw such false statement failing which we shall be constrained to initiate appropriate legal proceedings against you and Sri Amit Shah, who needlessly shall be drawn into a serious litigation for such falsehood of yours," he asserted.

Mamata Banerjee's reaction:

During a press conference, CM Mamata Banerjee said she was "appalled" at how a false statement was doing rounds in the media.

"I am appalled how without clarifying the truth, you all (referring to media people) have carried the news that I called Amit Shah after TMC lost its national party status. This is a complete lie," said Banerjee.

Without naming Suvendu Adhikari directly, the TMC supremo called him a "liar" and accused him of spreading fake news.

"He must apologize to the people of Bengal for repeatedly lying," she added.

Banerjee said the BJP is not above the Constitution.

Calling BJP the most corrupt party, Banerjee said: " It is a trail of corruption, neglect and apathy which is evident all over the country! BJP-run states are plagued with malfeasance, injustice, and the absence of freedom of speech and expression."

Meanwhile, referring to Banerjee's challenge that she would resign if anybody can prove his claim that she rang up Union Home Minister Amit Shah four times after Trinamool Congress lost its "All India" tag, Adhikari stated, "For making the call to Delhi, you used a landline. I'd expose you in due time. Wait for my befitting reply tomorrow. "

On Tuesday Adhikari claimed that Banerjee had dialled Shah four times to request him to repeal the Election Commission's decision revoking TMC’s national party status.

Referring to Banerjee's naming some districts, Adhikari said, "You know why you keep repeating Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum, Malda, Medinipur; because in your subconscious mind, you know that you grabbed power in (May) 2011 because I was in charge of these districts. Your worthless Bhaipo (nephew) was nowhere in the scene & was launched only after July 2011."