Sreerampore (West Bengal), April 27 (IANS) In an all-out attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Sunday accused her of joining hands with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram to save the Saradha scamsters and ruining the state by vote bank politics.
Addressing an election rally in this town of Hooghly district, Modi raised the issue of the multi-crore rupee Saradha scam, promising "no one will be spared" if he came to power at the centre and specifically raising questions about who bought one of Banerjee's paintings for Rs.1.80 crore.
"Chidambaramji, you are the country's finance minister, such a big scam has taken place, who are you trying to save? Why have Mamataji and Chidambaram joined hands to help those responsible for the Saradha scam, people of Bengal want to know," he said.
Assuring the victims of the Saradha scam in states like Bengal, Jharkhand and Odhisa, he said: "I announce that after forming the government in Delhi, strong action will be taken on this issue. Nobody will be spared."
Attacking Banerjee, Modi raised questions about one of her paintings being sold for Rs.1.80 crore.
Bengal's opposition parties have been alleging that purported Saradha scam mastermind Sudipta Sen had bought the painting at the exhorbitant price. But the Trinamool Congress has denied it.
"You are a good painter. I have heard earlier your paintings used to be sold for Rs.4 lakh, Rs. 8 lakh, Rs.15 lakh. But what is the reason behind your painting once being sold for Rs.1.80 crore."
Dripping sarcasm, Modi said the country is proud to have such a painter, but questioned who purchased the painting.
"How many paintings did he buy? Who all have bought your paintings? And at what prices? People of Bengal want to know."
Responding to Modi's attack, Trinamool national spokesperson Derek O'Brien called Modi the "Butcher of Gujarat" and accused him of making personal attacks as he "has no answers to Bengal's development model". Challenging Modi, he said the BJP leader should either prove his allegation or face defamation charges.
"The paintings were sold not for personal gain. The money was used for good causes as well as to fund elections. Hence electoral reforms are a priority for Trinamool," said O'Brien.
Claiming that the Congress, Left and Trinamool were all in league, Modi said why the Congress was contesting the polls when it was professing support for a possible Third Front regime.
He accused the Congress of forming covert and overt alliance to prevent him from coming to power, as it was afraid that "if Modi comes to power, they will be nowhere".
He alleged that Banerjee was following the path that was used by the erstwhile Left Front government and was concerned less about the state and more in protecting her chair.
"Mamataji and the Left are always thinking of checkmating each other. They have no time to think about the people, the state's development. Mamataji has caused more damage to the state in 35 months than what the Left did in 34 years."
In an apparent reference to various cases slapped on BJP Lok Sabha candidate singer Babul Supriyo, Modi said: "Mamataji, times have changed, You cannot gain popularity by slapping false cases on those in public life with the help of police."
Modi alleged that like Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, Banerjee only pursued a policy of vote bank politics and this "will make the future of the youths of Bengal dark".
He alleged that Banerjee had no love for people from outside the state who have settled in Bengal, but "your face glows when peole come from Bangladesh".
"But I tell you, after May 16, people of Bangladesh will have to leave bag and baggage."
Corona Update: The graph of Corona is increasing in the country, 283 new cases came to the fore; Active cases rise to 2,525
The world has been grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic for almost the last three years. Which has caused huge damage to the economy. Even at present, the Covid virus remains. The Union Ministry of
Prisoners to be released on 90-day parole in Uttarakhand, High Power Committee issued an order
Keeping in view the second severe wave of pandemic Covid-19, the High Power Committee has been set up in the state on the orders of the Supreme Court. The committee should again release the detained
Champions Trophy: Captain Rohit wants to experiment in every way before the Champions Trophy, said this after the victory
Skipper Rohit Sharma said on Thursday that the Indian team is not looking to achieve anything special ahead of the Champions Trophy but would like to get as many things right as possible as they did
Bihar Board Exam: Will the 10th and 12th exams be held on time during the corona transition? Know latest updates
Bihar Board, BSEB 10th. & 12th. Examination 2022: The Bihar Board examinations are held in the first quarter of the new year. Like last year, this year also there will be examinations amid
Restrictions, shutdown affect life in Kashmir Valley
Srinagar, Feb 9 (IANS) The authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar Monday to thwart separatist protests on the death anniversary of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was
Crude Oil Price Hike: The price of crude oil once again crosses $ 120, will the price of petrol and diesel increase?
Crude oil prices rose sharply after the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Even its price had reached the peak of $ 139 per barrel. However, after that it softened, but once the prices of
Professional services cost high, needs revamp: Rosaiah
Chennai, Feb 25 (IANS) Pointing to the high cost of services, Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah Wednesday said the professional services industry should be revamped.He said the sector should leverage
Due to this, tax exemption was given on income up to 12 lakhs, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the inside story.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has defined Budget 2025-26 as a budget by the people, of the people, for the people. She said that the idea of giving the gift of tax cuts to the middle class
Weather Update Today: Will rain bring relief in Delhi-NCR today? Know- weather conditions across the country
The Meteorological Department has expressed the possibility of rain in Delhi-NCR today. The sky will remain cloudy throughout the day and some drop in temperature will also be recorded. But according
Land bill in next part of session: Naidu
New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) The contentious land acquisition bill will be taken up in the upper house only in the second phase of the budget session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah
