Trinamool leader Anubrata Mondal returns from prison, reaffirms support for Mamata

Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal returns to Birbhum after 25 months in prison, receives hero's welcome from party loyalists.

Trinamool Congress leader and Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal (aka Kesto Mondal) returned to Birbhum after being in prison for over 25 months in connection with the West Bengal cattle scam. Mr. Mondal on his return expressed his allegiance to the Trinamool Congress chairperson and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

Mr. Mondal got a hero’s welcome at his residence on Tuesday (September 24) where a huge number of party workers and loyalists waited with sweets, party colours, drums, and flowers, to celebrate his return to his hometown in Bolpur, Birbhum district. 

He was accompanied by his daughter Sukanya Mondal during his return. Notably, she has also been accused of the same cattle scam and was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. Upon his return, Mr. Mondal said, “I was with Didi and will always remain with her. The health condition is not good, when needed I will meet her.” 

Mr. Mondal was known as one of the closest aides of Ms. Banerjee in Trinamool. On Tuesday, the party leader and CM Mamata Banerjee was also present in Bolpur to assess the flood situation at the time when Mr. Mondal returned with his daughter. But they did not meet or exchange any words upon his return. 

Mr. Mondal was arrested on August 11, 2022, by CBI officials. On September 8, 2022, Ms. Banerjee stood by him and voiced her strong faith in his aid. She had said, “Kesto will come out of prison one day and you will accord him a hero’s welcome.” 

Once Mr. Mondal’s bail was announced on July 30 at the Supreme Court, Trinamool leader and Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor, Firhad Hakim hailed Mr. Mondal as a bagh (tiger). He further stated, “You cannot keep the tiger of Birbhum in a cage for long. When a tiger is in a cage for long, hyenas and foxes make a lot of noise.” 

“This tiger stays within nature. I have called him a tiger for his resilience even when he faced so much abuse. He is there for the people and the party with a lot of patience, that is why he is a tiger,” said Mr. Hakim on Tuesday as he further reiterated his statement.