Mantri, Bengal CEO in battle on X over corruption charges

Kolkata: Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal and state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya are locked in a spat on X over now-dismissed corruption charges against Agarwal and his wife by CBI.Responding to a post in which Agarwal advised Bengal's EROs and AEROs to maintain a "Lakshman Rekha", Bhattacharya alleged that nearly 30 bank accounts and six plots of land worth crores of rupees linked to Agarwal's wife were probed by CBI.
Refuting the allegations through the official CEO's handle, Agarwal claimed his wife's "financial affairs always remained transparent and compliant with the law". The post stated: "The attempt to ‘give a dog a bad name and hang him' stands exposed after this long agnipariksha. Truth and the rule of law will undoubtedly prevail."The war of words started after the WBCS Executive Officers Association (WBCSEOA) stated on Monday that blaming EROs/AEROs — who were working day and night on the electoral process — is not only demeaning but also adversely affecting their morale.Rebutting a previous post by the CEO, the association said: "With response to the communication on social media by the Bengal CEO on March 2, it is noted with grave concern that names marked as ‘under adjudication' have been attributed to the EROs/AEROs. This is completely untrue and emphatically denied."In reply, the CEO warned on X: "Posting comments on the basis of hearsay and attempts to discredit constitutional bodies/statutory authorities can have serious consequences. Govt servants are well-advised to function within the Lakshman Rekha of the applicable conduct rules."Responding to the CEO's warning, Bhattacharya posted: "Manoj Agarwal, CEO West Bengal, warns officers about the ‘Lakshman Rekha' and lectures them on ‘service rules'. But where was this moral sermon when, as per a CBI chargesheet, nearly 30 bank accounts and 6 plots worth crores... were allegedly linked to your wife? Before preaching ethics, answer the questions on record. Accountability first, lectures later."On Tuesday morning, the CEO clarified that his wife had been acquitted by a special judge. "To put it briefly, the chargesheet ultimately culminated in an honourable acquittal... Mrs Agarwal owned property since prior to her marriage and regularly filed her Income Tax Returns since 1983 without interruption. All her assets... were truthfully declared and duly assessed by the Income Tax Department over the past 43 years."On Sunday, the CEO had posted that certain names were marked as "under adjudication" because EROs/AEROs had failed to decide on them after hearings. WBCSEOA countered this, claiming that micro-observers and roll observers engaged by the Election Commission had sent back many cases already disposed of by EROs without comments, leading to the "under adjudication" backlog.The CEO's office shot back on Monday, stating: "Nowhere was it attributed... that all cases under adjudication were due to indecision by EROs. However, a certain number of cases remained pending... and were therefore referred for adjudication, which is factually verifiable. WBCSEOA cannot and should not assume the role of spokesperson for officers under deemed deputation to the EC."