Thaindian News

Kolkata, April 15 (IANS) Taking on Congress chief Sonia Gandhi’s comment that conditions in West Bengal are worsening under the Left Front, Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A.B. Bardhan Friday said the statement is an insult to the state.

“Sonia Gandhi’s statement is an insult to West Bengal and its people. Is it more backward compared to the other states? Do you, you the press, believe it? There should be a limit to what ever is being said,” Bardhan told a press conference here.

In a meeting at Englishbazar in Malda district Friday, Gandhi had said, “Why is the condition of the state worsening? With hardworking and skilful people like you in abundance, should the condition of this state be like this? The CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist) has totally ruined the state.”

“From farmers to labourers to workers in the unorganised sector, the condition of all is miserable but the state government is not bothered,” she added.

Also criticising Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi for commenting that central funds are not fully utilised in West Begnal, Bardhan said: “There is another gentleman, a young gentleman, who every time says that we are giving more money to the states and the states are not spending it.

“This is not the centre’s money, this is the money of the states,” he stated.

To a question whether Agricultural Minister Sharad Pawar should resign after
corruption charges raised against him, Bardhan said,”till now no one has resigned. I want more investigation. Investigation should be carried out into the charges raised against him”.

Corporate lobbyist Niira Radia, in her statement to the Central Bureau of Investigation, claimed that Pawar may be controlling DB Realy and may have pursued the issue of 2G spectrum and licence for Swan Telecom with former communications minister A. Raja.

However, Radia’s claim that Pawar may have a financial interest in DB Realty was dismissed by the NCP boss as an “absolute lie”.