TMC not engaged in politics of religion: Mamata Banerjee

In a veiled attack on the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that unlike “some parties” TMC was not engaged in religion-based politics.

“Trinamool Congress is not like some parties which love to use religion for petty politics. I believe 'Saare Jahaan Se Achha, Hindustan Humara'. The soil of Bengal belongs to the legacy of Rabindranath, Nazrul, Dwijendralal Roy. We believe in unity not hatred,” she said.

Further, expressing “shock” at CBI raid at the office and residence of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Principal Secretary, Banerjee said the agency's move was beyond her understanding.

“Today they have send the CBI to raid the office of Delhi CM. I am shocked! Why are they doing this?” she said.

Addressing a rally at the Gajole college ground, 35 kms off Malda, Banerjee claimed that despite the Centre taking away a major chunk of its revenue as interest on loans, the state's assets have increased by 600 per cent in the last four years.

“Growth in Bengal's asset has increased by 600 per cent in the last four years. Let them stop taking our taxes. We do not need their funds. We are asking for our right. The state revenue has increased from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 40,000 crore,” Banerjee said, adding that if there was not a huge outgo of the state's revenue, lakhs of people could have been provided jobs.

“We are paying for the sins of the CPI-M. They imposed a debt burden on the youth. Neither the Congress nor the BJP helped us,” she said.