TMC to take protest over 'economic deprivation' to Delhi

KOLKATA: Protesting the "economic deprivation" of West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress today decided to take its dissent to Delhi next week with party MPs set to raise the issue in and outside Parliament.

"Our MPs will stage a dharna before Gandhi's statue in the Parliament complex on April 22 when the budget session resumes," party general secretary Mukul Roy told a press conference here.

He said it would be to protest the alleged economic deprivation of Bengal by the Centre and also against attempts to stall development by the Mamata Banerjee government.

Simultaneously, he said, TMC MPs would launch protests and dharnas in and outside Parliament to protest the heckling of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Finance Minister Amit Mitra in Delhi on April 9.

In West Bengal, agitation on the two issues would be launched in blocks and towns tomorrow beside a rally in the metropolis, he said.

A procession would be taken out from College Square to Rani Rashmoni Avenue on April 26.

Roy said the 12th Finance Commission had identified the state, which had a huge debt of Rs 2 lakh crore, as one of the most debt-stressed.

"The debt burden has been bequeathed by the Left Front government. Why should the present government take responsibility?" Roy asked.

He also questioned why the Centre permitted the previous state government to continue borrowing without introducing the FRBM Act.

The Centre was taking away Rs 25,000 crore annually to meet the interest and repayment of the debt, he said.

On the April 9 incident, Roy said, "It is unfortunate that till today we do not see any action against the perpetrators."