`Chowkidar' points scam finger at CM

ABHIJEET CHATTERJEE, TT,  03 Feb 2019, Durgapur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a personal attack on Mamata Banerjee in Durgapur over her paintings and said all corruption charges like deposit default scams like Saradha lead to her doorstep.

Describing himself as the "chowkidar (watchman)" and said his continuous fight against corruption has robbed the chief minister of her sleep.

"Starting from chit funds, Saradha or painting scams, all corruption charges lead to one door and for that reason she does not like this chowkidar. I am fighting against corruption in the country and for that those that are accused had assembled in Calcutta to remove this chowkidar," said Modi at a rally in Durgapur, in an apparent reference to Mamata's United India rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds on January 19, attended by most major forces in the national Opposition.

Modi's attack on Mamata's paintings and ponzi schemes came days after BJP national president Amit Shah levelled allegations against her at a rally in Contai in East Midnapore.

Modi asked if Didi has done Modi being welcomed at the Durgapur rally on Saturday. Picture byArup Sarkar nothing wrong then why was she scared of agencies such as the CBI.

"Why is Didi is so scared if she has done nothing wrong? Why are you not allowing them (CBI) to come to Bengal for investigation?" said Modi while launching his campaign for the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal.

In 2014, Modi had trained his guns on Mamata, levelling similar allegations against her, questioning her personal probity, for his Lok Sabha polls campaign.

Modi said he too had faced several investigations in Gujarat during the UPA regime but never disallowed the CBI from coming to the state. "I was not scared as I am honest," said Modi.

During his 35-minute address at the Nehru Stadium, Modi spent most of the time in attacking Mamata and her government. "The Mamata Banerjee government is not implementing Real Estate Regulatory Authority Act in Bengal as it would stop malpractice in the real estate sector. It is known to everyone how important the lobby involved in real estate malpractices is to Mamatadidi's government," he said.

During his speech, he threw questions to the audience on whether he should continue to his fight against corruption. The audience responded in the affirmative.

He alleged syndicate raj and other extortion activities have become commonplace in Bengal and the people here are fed up.

"Even children here are aware of triple T, Trinamul Tolabazi Tax. Starting from admission in colleges to transfer of teachers, one has to pay the triple T everywhere," he said.

He said there was nobody to stand against this malpractice but the BJP has done it now and for that Didi has unleashed an attack on the party's workers.

He said he was wondering why Trinamul was "attacking" BJP workers in Bengal and got the answer from the "large" gathering in Thakurnagar and Durgapur.

"It is because of your love and support to BJP, Didi is scared," he said.

He also apologised for the inconvenience of people because of the "large" turnout.

Modi said Mamata's government was not allowing the BJP to hold rallies citing various issues.

"Sometimes they are not allowing the landing of helicopters, sometimes they are not giving permission to rallies and also attacking and injuring BJP workers. But our fight will continue," he said.

Modi accused Mamata's government of having deprived lakhs of poor people in Bengal from getting the benefit of the Ayushman Bharat scheme because of her own political interests. "You say, what is to be done with this person who lets the poor suffer for her own gain. This heartless government has no right to continue anymore," he said..