Kolkata, April 12 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday lashed out at the opposition including the BJP for targeting her over the sale of her paintings and challenged them to fight her politically.
Addressing a public rally in the city, the Trinamool Congress supremo also took a dig on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his “penchant for style”.
“They (opposition) are jealous. Those born with silver spoon say how a woman from a humble background can run a state.
“This central government does not care for common man. People are saying ‘kya socha tha, kya ho gaya’. Why did the BJP get a drubbing in Delhi? People from all walks of society have rejected them,” Banerjee said at the rally.
In an apparent reference to Modi, Banerjee said: “If you open Twitter, all you can see is a person posting pictures in different clothes. So much style.”
She also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Communist Party of India-Marxist for targeting her over her paintings.
“Who is the opposition to decide the value of my paintings? My paintings are sold to raise money for the party. The money is used to run election campaign. Every political party submits accounts to Election Commission and files income tax returns,” she said.
She also questioned why the CPI-M’s accounts and assets were never investigated.
“What was the CBI doing? CBI comes under the jurisdiction of PMO. ED and IT departments are under the finance ministry. Let there be a political competition. I challenge them. Let CBI issue notices to all parties regarding sources of income,” said Banerjee.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which is probing the multi-crore rupee Saradha scam recently sent a notice to the Trinamool seeking details of its income and expenditure since 2010.