Before sending agencies to raid others, BJP should look at themselves: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took a dig at the BJP and said the Centre should look at BJP leaders before sending agencies to raid politicians of other parties. She claimed that central agencies are being misused against the Opposition.

"Before sending agencies to raid others, BJP should look at themselves. Charity begins at home. First, ask the ED, CBI, and IT department to investigate BJP leaders," she said.

Speaking at a public meeting in Murshidabad district, the Trinamool Congress chief defended her party minister Jakir Hussain who faced an Income Tax raid a few days ago. She said he is a businessman and he is being attacked for being a Trinamool leader. "Our Jangipur MLA, Jakir Hussain, is a businessman. If someone has done something wrong, then they will be punished accordingly. But since he is a Trinamool leader, he is being attacked."

She asked if the BJP is trying to show its strength. "Let me tell you that this power will not remain forever. You will become a 'Big Zero' once you lose power." The TMC chief also mentioned bulldozers and said "it will not be a bulldozer for bulldozer. In place of bulldozers, you will face closure."

Banerjee also spoke against the CPI(M) and Congress in the district home to Bengal Congress chief, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. She alleged that Congress, BJP, and CPI(M) are allying covertly despite ideological opposites. Murshidabad is one of the last remaining areas where Congress has influence. "Ram-Baam-Shyam' have joined hands to torment Bengal. While they are trying to attack me, they are torturing the women of our State. They are torturing our farmers, our artisans, our workers, and our students. Are you not ashamed?" she asked.

The Bengal CM also accused the Centre of withholding funds for key schemes and called it undemocratic behaviour. "If someone feels that the amount that we are owed is the BJP's personal fund, then they are wrong. Let me make this clear, if the Centre feels that it can take away the money of the poor and attack the Opposition, they will not succeed. We will not allow such undemocratic behaviour."

"I am not making any political comment here. I am only asking for the amount we deserve under the 100 Days' Work Scheme for our workers. When will they get their due? Both the BJP and the CPI(M) will have to answer this question," she added.