Abhijit Ray, Kolkata:The West Bengal state politics is in a state of uproar over the photo of the Coal Minister with a person accused of smuggling coal. Amidst the CBI investigation into ‘black gold’ smuggling, questions have been raised about the ‘presence’ of those involved in the illegal business during the Union Minister’s official visit. In a picture taken at a hotel in Durgapur on Wednesday night, it is seen that Jaidev Khan is standing quite next to Coal Minister Prahlad Joshi who is sitting on the sofa.Who is thisJaydev Khan? BJP’s Jaidev Khan stays inBakhtarnagar of Raniganj. He is accused in several cases related to coal smuggling in Raniganj, Andal and Mejia police stations of West Burdwan. He was once arrested by the STF after finding fake notes from him. He also had to serve jail custody. Earlier, he was arrested by the CID after investigating the illegal coal trade.In another case of coal smuggling, the CBI had searched his house. Raniganj town was covered with cutouts of Jayadev, who became one of the faces of BJP in the last assembly elections. His name is in the charge sheet given by the police in a case of Raniganj police station on the charge of abetment to suicide. As soon as the Coal Minister’s picture with such a ‘controversial’ person came to light, the political circle started a stir.Trinamool All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee raised the question by posting that picture on Twitter, what is the Coal Minister doing with the notorious coal mafia Jaydev Khan? The spokesperson of the party Kunal Ghosh said, how will the coal work, his policy was correct from this meeting? Kunal demanded that the Coal Minister also should be interrogated in the CBI case related to coal smuggling.Coal Minister Prahlad Joshi, who came to Durgapur on a two-day official visit and held a meeting at the hotel of someone accused of coal smuggling, Raju Jha, got involved in the controversy. Jaydev Khan’s presence added a new dimension to that controversy. According to sources, in the picture, which is surrounding the controversy, apart from Coal Minister Joshi, the accused Jaydev Khan, Asansol Lok Sabha convener and BJP district vice-president Subrata Mishra, Durgapur BJP MLA Lakshman Ghodui are also seen.Subrata said that Jaydev was with the minister before we came. Pictures were taken after we left. There is nothing wrong with that. Jaydev Khan is a coal contractor. Laxman Ghorui did not want to comment publicly on the matter. Even though Jaydevbabu’s mobile phone was called several times since Friday morning, he did not pick up. Even when his response was sought through WhatsApp, it was not forthcoming.
Accused Coal smugglers photo with Union Coal Minister came out in public
