Jaitley addresses meeting in city

Accusing both the Left Front and Trinamool Congress, union Finance minister Arun Jaitley said while the former had destroyed West Bengal in each and every aspect, the latter had belied the expectations of people.

He was addressing newsmen in a meet the press organised by the Kolkata Press Club on Sunday afternoon.

Referring to Congress he said the party was going for alliance just for its mere survival. “The party which has a dearth of ideology does not mind becoming the tail ender in any alliance,” he said. With this backdrop it would be BJP’s duty to increase its strength in West Bengal and put forward a viable alternative. He said for 34 years the Left Front had ruined the state. Financially, the state was shattered. There was no job opportunities followed by flight of capital. Law and order situation deteriorated and CPI(M)’s local committees used to control administration. From 1991, the country began to progress but because of the faulty policies West Bengal’s growth was badly hit. When in 2011, Trinamool Congress came to power it failed to give proper leadership and could not give any alternative economic policy causing serious crisis for the state. Asked about the Narada sting operation, Jaitley said: “It would be wrong to take anybody’s name but what was shown in the television it proves that some senior Trinamool leaders are vulnerable. “Asked to comment on TMC’s own investigation into the matter, he said: “A party can surely carry out internal inquiry and take action against those involved but taking bribe is a criminal offence which can be dealt with by the court.” He also talked about the multi-agency probe into the leaked 'Panama Papers' showing alleged offshore tax haven holdings of Indians. He said: "Congress will not have many reasons to celebrate" when the details come out in this case. He also asserted that the probe is being done in a "very impartial" way.  "I have not understood their argument," Jaitley said in reply to a question on the Opposition demand that he should recuse himself for being "close" to a person named in the leaked documents.