Kolkata: With emphasis on ‘Ebar Bangla’ (this time Bengal), Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Wednesday slammed Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the Narada scam, adding that there was no doubt that those named in the scam were involved in corrupt practices.
“They were caught on camera accepting money. One must ask Mamata why she’s still supporting these leaders,” said Shah, addressing a press meet at the Kolkata Press Club.
The sting was released just before the Assembly elections last year in West Bengal. It showed 12 TMC ministers and leaders accepting bribes in return of favours. This was a major blow to the party, which already has senior leaders embroiled in the multi-crore Saradha chit scam.
Shah also quashed rumors of the party being in touch with those named in the Narada scam. “Nobody is in touch with the party, and I can’t speculate on the same,” he said.
“We are here to restore Bengal’s lost glory. With many of its leaders involved in corruption, those who voted for TMC feel cheated now. But we are certain the lotus will bloom in 2019. We will solve the problem of unemployment here. TMC’s failure and Mamata’s politics of appeasement has only strengthened our position here,” said Shah. He added that the chief minister was spreading lies about lack of funds from the Centre
“She must prove it in court. Her allegation will only stand if she justifies them,” said Shah.
The BJP president, while refusing to comment on the involvement of BJP leaders LK Advani, Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti in the Babri Masjid case, added that cow vigilantism would be taken very seriously legally.
“If there was trouble anywhere in the name of gau rakshaks, law would take its own course,” he said.
Adding that BJP’s thumping victory in the Delhi MCD polls showed that people had rejected politics of negativity and excuses and wanted politics of development, Shah said Mamata was scared of the BJP. The West Bengal chief minister, however, hasn’t taken too kindly to the BJP president’s words.
“We don’t need lectures from them. BJP is jealous of the development in Bengal and hence states not ruled by BJP were deprived of funds. Agriculture growth in India is 1.1% while that of Bengal is 6%. Growth in service sector in India is 9% and in Bengal it is 13.99%. Industrial growth in India is 7% and in Bengal it is 10%. I challenge them to compare the figures of infant mortality in Bengal and Gujarat,” she said.
Comments
0 comment