Jalpaiguri/Siliguri (West Bengal), (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday attacked the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal for failing to ensure development and jobs and not being different from the Left regime it ousted.
Returning the fire, Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress chief, called Gandhi a "fair weather friend" who makes an appearance only during the poll season and said leaders who never knew what poverty was should not talk big.
Addressing an election rally at Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district, Gandhi also alleged that central government funds sent to the state never reached the beneficiaries.
"Bengal has contributed largely for the country but unfortunately it has not progressed as desired," he said in his first visit to the state after the announcement of Lok Sabha polls.
"Earlier there was a Communist government here... Communism failed in Russia, (it) changed in China and fortunately also in Bengal...
"People had hoped the new government (in the state) will work for development, for education, for creating jobs and employment. Unfortunately the Trinamool government has done the same things for which it fought against the Communists," Gandhi added.
Criticizing the lack of infrastructure in the region, the Congress leader said his party was making efforts to ensure the money sent for the welfare of the common man reaches the ultimate beneficiaries.
"What kind of roads has the Bengal government given you? When there are no proper roads, no schools, no hospitals, it's you who have to suffer. We send crores of rupees to the Bengal government. It's your money and not for the MPs and MLAs here. But the sad fact is, this money reaches Kolkata but not you.
"We hope a day comes when this money, which is yours, reaches you. We are making efforts to ensure that your roads reach you."
He said money meant for development should not be "pocketed by contractors and leaders".
Hours after Gandhi's offensive, Banerjee launched a counter from a rally in the neighbouring Darjeeling district's Naxalbari.
She accused the Congress of robbing the state of its due share of money.
"Leaders from Delhi are claiming they have given us crores of rupees and we never spent it. Shameless leaders, those who never know what poverty is, those who are born as landlords, they are talking big," Banerjee said, in an indirect reference to Gandhi.
Banerjee, however, did not name anyone, and said she never takes "unworthy names".
"Those who have taken away Rs.74,000 crore towards debt repayment and leave us with nothing, they are talking big. Not only that, they have not given us Rs.87,283 crore which we are entitled to," she said.
On Gandhi's comments on the condition of the roads, Banerjee said: ""Those who are talking about roads, I must remind them, the roads are not state roads, rather national highways and are the reasonability of the centre." Her tireless pleas to have them repaired have fallen on deaf ears, she added.
"They are behaving as if they are doling out money to Bengal from their own pockets. Don't dare me to open my mouth. If I do that, many things will come tumbling out," she warned.
Continuing her verbal assault, Banerjee said: "There are some fair-weather friends who make appearances only in the poll season. After that, they are not seen... and I am not a rootless leader."
In an apparent claim, that the Congress would have to seek post-poll support from her, she said: "After the polls, there will be some who will fall at my feet, but to no avail."
Afghanistan Crisis: Britain will give shelter to 20 thousand Afghan refugees, women will be given priority
After the Taliban occupation of Afghanistan, there is an atmosphere of chaos. Except for select countries, other countries including America, India, and Saudi Arabia have either closed their embassies
Rahul Gandhi and Owaisi's names are in Lawrence's next list! Death threat, case filed
After the murder of Baba Siddiqui, Lawrence Bishnoi's name is once again in the news in the country. Meanwhile, Congress leader and Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi has been threatened with death on
Congress faced with unprecedented challenge: Maken
New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Congress leader Ajay Maken, under whose leadership the party failed to win even a single seat in last month's Delhi assembly polls, Sunday took charge of the party's
BR Ambedkar: Tribute paid to BR Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas; PM Modi and Kharge met in this style
Tributes were paid to Dr. BR Ambedkar on the occasion of the 69th Mahaparinirvana Diwas at the Parliament House lawn. During this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, former
IND vs ENG Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal's double century impressed even Sachin Tendulkar, the star batsman now reveals his conversation with the legend
Yashasvi Jaiswal on Sachin Tendulkar: Team India won by 106 runs in the second test match of India vs England played in Visakhapatnam. India's new star Yashasvi Jaiswal played an important role in
Defense Purchase Council approves purchase proposals worth Rs 84,328 crore for the armed forces
In a major step towards strengthening the indigenous defense sector, the Defense Ministry has approved requirement approval for 24 capital defense procurement proposals worth Rs 84,328 crore for the
BJP has put Advani in Cold Storage: Nitish Kumar
Patna, Jan 24 (IANS) Former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar Saturday criticised the BJP for putting its senior leader L.K. Advani in "cold storage"."The BJP in new avatar has put Advani in cold
Team India: Rohit, Virat, and Pujara have been able to score four centuries in two years; Major changes are needed in the Indian Test team!
India\'s second straight defeat in the final of the World Test Championship has left the Shivsundar Das-led selection committee worried. The next final of the Test Championship is to be played after
SC Notice on plea for Compulsory Moral Science in Schools
New Delhi, Feb. Feb 2 (IANS) The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the central government on a plea seeking teaching of moral science as a compulsory subject in the syllabus from first
Achuthanandan warming up to CPI-M again
Thiruvananthapuram, March 22 (IANS) Veteran CPI-M leader V.S. Achuthanandan appears to be rebuilding bridges with his colleagues, giving his party a clean chit in the sensational murder of a Left
