New Delhi/Kolkata, March 1 (IANS): Ahead of the high-octane assembly elections in West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Trinamool Congress leader and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh for questioning in connection with its probe into the Saradha Chit Fund money laundering case, officials said.

An ED official related to the probe told IANS, "Ghosh has been asked to join the investigation at its Kolkata office on March 2 at 11 a.m."

He said that Ghosh's statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to ED sources, Ghosh, a former Trinamool Congress MP, had allegedly received funds from the Saradha group to head its media unit.

Ghosh was earlier interrogated by the agency in connection with the case in July 2019 and in October 2013.

An ED source said that the agency is probing the flow of funds which Ghosh had allegedly received from the Saradha group and also the money laundering angle.

The Saradha scam came to light in April 2013 and is estimated at over Rs 10,000 crore. The ED has filed a case on the basis of the CBI's FIR.

Polling to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases, on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29. Voting will take place on May 2.

The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP are engaged in bitter war of words in the state.