Mamata dismisses charge of use of black money in polls

Kolkata, April 22: Rubbishing charges that black money was used to fund the Trinamool Congress' poll campaign in West Bengal, party chief Mamata Banerjee today (April 22) claimed the "wild accusations" would not cut much ice with the electorate.

"What is the credibility of the CPI(M) and the people making these allegations? The CPI(M) should be the last to talk about corruption," she told PTI in an interview here when pointed out that the Left has made corruption, especially the 2G and Commonwealth Games scams, a major poll issue.

"Those who have looted crores of rupees from all corners of Bengal in the last three decades are making wild accusations without any basis. The people will decide who is telling the truth and who is making these desperate allegations less than a few days before they become a big zero.

"With the blessings of ''Ma, Mati, Manush'', when we assume responsibility, all dirty deals and overall financial mess will be looked into," Banerjee said, stressing that democracy and people will be the focus of her party.

Asked if the Railway ministry would continue to remain with the party in the event of her becoming the CM, she replied in the affirmative.

"The Railway Ministry will remain with our party after the elections. So, all projects and plans that were announced will be completed on time," she said

On Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee's stand that his party would give support to the government and not join it in case of the combine coming to power after the polls, she said, "That is an internal issue of the Congress."

On Congress and Trinamool Congress rebels fighting as independents against the Congress-TC alliance, she said, "The people are making a clear choice in this election.

They want us to come to power. They will not waste a single vote in favour of others contesting as rebels."

On tackling the Maoist and Gorkhaland problems, she said, "Development is the answer to all problems. When people have to survive on ant eggs, how will there be no unrest? (sic)."

Stressing that her party would bring peace to the Darjeeling hills through talks, Banerjee said, "We will have as many talks as required.

"In the long term, the solution is better opportunities and better facilities for the people of West Bengal. And we will work for that. I have said this before. I will visit both Darjeeling and Junglemahal within 100 days of becoming chief minister."

PTI