Babul slams Didi's UK team of 100

TT, Calcutta, July 25: Union minister Babul Supriyo today criticised Mamata Banerjee for her decision to lead a 100-member delegation to London, saying the move had created anger and resentment in the minds of people and wondering about the effect such a big contingent would have on the exchequer.

The Asansol BJP MP said on the sidelines of the 87th annual general meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Calcutta without naming Mamata: "She is leading a 100-member delegation to London. This has created resentment and anger in the minds of people. They are in a fit of rage and we can see the smoke everywhere. I think the social media is acting as a mirror in this regard - the effect her trip would have on the exchequer."

Referring to the stir his " jhalmuri diplomacy" with the chief minister had created in May, Supriyo said: "The Prime Minister is always saying the Centre and the states should work together. But you all have seen that even after all sorts of political criticism, I ate whatever I wanted to, be it jhalmuri or ice cream. The point is efforts are being made to work for the people. But if there's a lack of logic in it, that's not good."

Apparently questioning the utility of the London trip, Supriyo said he didn't think it would be possible for the state government to show mathematically the gains made from the chief minister's Singapore trip last August.