Kolkata, April 4 – Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday targeted the BJP over corruption allegations linked to the coal smuggling scam while campaigning for the party's candidate at a rally in Barabani near Asansol in West Burdwan district.
"The BJP candidate's reputation in this Assembly is well known. From attacking Trinamool workers during the Rath Yatra to beating up his own party leaders, there are all kinds of allegations against him. Voting for the BJP means establishing a corrupt government. The BJP is now in the hands of bribe-takers and mafias. The BJP party office in this district is full of coal thieves," he said.
For a long time, Trinamool Congress leaders, including Abhishek Banerjee, have faced allegations of involvement in the coal smuggling scam, with central investigation agencies summoning several of them for questioning. On Saturday, Banerjee turned the same charge against the BJP.
He also claimed that the BJP is unlikely to return to power at the Centre after the next Lok Sabha elections and is therefore attempting to influence the electoral process in West Bengal.
Addressing another rally for party candidate Kajal Sheikh in the Hasan Assembly constituency in Birbhum district, Banerjee said the Trinamool Congress would play a decisive role if a new government is formed at the Centre.
"The formation of the Trinamool Congress government after the Assembly elections is just a matter of time. I promise you, they will not have a government in the future, that is why they have started stealing votes. After the Lok Sabha elections, a new government will be formed in Delhi, and the Trinamool Congress and the people of Bengal will play a decisive role," he said.
The Trinamool leadership has repeatedly alleged that the BJP-led Central government has withheld funds meant for the state. Referring to this, Banerjee said, "The BJP has blocked Rs 2 lakh crore to Bengal. We will bring that money within three months."