Amit Mitra slams Arun Jaitley for questioning Mamata Banerjee's Singapore trip

KOLKATA: Slamming Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for questioning West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's official visit to Singapore, state finance minister Amit Mitra today said that the former was doing "politics" and criticised him for making comments without knowing the developmental process in the state.

"Jaitley today questioned Banerjee's opposition to FDI in defence and her trip to Singapore to seek foreign investment. It is extremely sad that something like this came from Arun Jaitley," Mitra said.

"Either he is not aware or he made the comment purposefully even after knowing all that has been happening in Bengal," he added.

Jaitley today referred to Banerjee's opposition to FDI in defence and her trip to Singapore to seek foreign investment as he asked the ruling Trinamool Congress to come clear on the issue of foreign direct investment.

Jaitley said the party is opposing FDI but the TMC-led state government went to Singapore to attract investment.

In an apparent reference to the Singur controversy, when Banerjee's anti-land acquisition movement led to the Tatas moving their car plant out of Bengal, Jaitley regretted that when there were prospects for industrial rejuvenation in Bengal, "pessimistic politics" forced industry to move out.

Mitra said, "The Singapore visit by the Bengal chief minister had the participation of around 150 representatives from business community. They did not participate without any reason.

"We protest against such comments. Jaitley is doing politics though he is well aware of the situation. West Bengal did not expect this from him. Bengal has been seeing investments by Changi, HR Johnson. Ten days back, the West Bengal CM inaugurated a cement factory at Barjora.

"Jaitley came here to participate in finance-related discussion, instead he politicised the event... After all this, such a comment by Jaitley is unacceptable. We protest against such comments," said Mitra.