Black money debate adds fuel to Trinamool-BJP war over Saradha scam

NEW DELHI: BJP used the debate on black money in the Lok Sabha to slam the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal over the Saradha scam. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s reply to the discussions in the Upper House failed to convince the Opposition, culminating in a walkout by the Congress and the Left parties.

The ruling party fielded its young MP Anurag Thakur to speak in the debate in the Lok Sabha on the issue. While he started by attacking Congress, Thakur soon shifted focus to the ponzi scheme in West Bengal in which Trinamool Congress leaders are being probed by CBI.

Thakur said, “How can the people and the party who have cheated the ordinary people of Bengal and thrived on the ill-gotten money of the Saradha scam make a song and dance about black money.”

TC members were up on their feet in protest and later Sudip Bandopadhyay said his party was ready for a debate on the Saradha scam and had nothing to hide. “Let me remind Thakur and BJP that Mamata, not Modi, is the most popular leader in West Bengal. The people are behind her and the BJP and Modi government should not think they can bully her through CBI. Trinamool under her leadership will give Modi and BJP a strong reply by fighting and winning over 200 seats in the next assembly polls,” he said.