'Don't criticise and create confusion over Biswa Bangla'

Indus (Bankura): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday came down heavily on those who criticise Biswa Bangla "just to create confusion" among people.

She was addressing a gathering at a rally here on Wednesday afternoon.

Without naming Mukul Roy, former Trinamool Congress vice-president who has recently joined BJP, she said "Biswa Bangla is our pride and those who criticise it were not born in Bengal."

This is for the first time that Banerjee has openly criticised in a public meeting, those who are creating confusion over Biswa Bangla.

Roy had raised questions regarding the Biswa Bangla Company and alleged that it belonged to Abhishek Banerjee and he had sponsored the Under-17 World Cup tournament in a public rally in November.

Within a day, Rajiva Sinha, additional Chief Secretary in charge of MSME, clarified that the logo was sketched by Mamata Banerjee and the state government is using it.

He also clarified that Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation is a state-run company.

Amidst raging controversy over the Biswa Bangla brand, the Chief Minister recently clarified at an Assembly session that the logo is her creation — which she has given to the state government for official use.

Speaking inside the state Assembly, Mamata claimed: "Biswa Bangal logo is my creation. I had created it in 2013. I have given it to the state government for official use and it can be used as long as the state wants. If the government does not use it, the brand and logo will come back to me."

While she refrained from naming anyone, Mamata said some sections were trying to create an unnecessary controversy over the matter

and claimed that Biswa Bangla was like her dream — one that can never be sold.

It may be mentioned that Abhishek Banerjee has filed civil and criminal defamation suits against Mukul Roy for his allegations.