'Centre need not worry about my income'

Kolkata: In an apparent dig at the BJP, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said painting was her passion and she does not "eke out a living by selling them".

The Chief Minister's reaction comes after BJP national president Amit Shah's allegation on Tuesday that her paintings were bought by chit-fund owners for crores of rupees.

In a counter attack, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, on Wednesday, dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah to prove the allegation against her.

Launching a calendar featuring some of her sketches at the inauguration of International Kolkata Book Fair here, Banerjee said the Centre need not worry about her income as she does not receive any pension and salary from either the Centre or the state government respectively.

Banerjee clearly maintained that she earns sufficiently from the royalty of her published books and by composing music. Seven books of the Chief Minister, including one on the current political scenario, was published at the fair on Thursday, taking the total number of her published works to 87.

On Thursday, at the inauguration of the 43rd International Kolkata Book Fair in Salt Lake, the Chief Minister also said that "dushtu" (mischievous) people should not be allowed to spoil the magic and charm of "mishti" (sweet) Book Fair.

Speaking at the Book Fair, Banerjee said: "This is the best Book Fair in the world. It is a festival of books. I do not think there is such footfall to buy books anywhere else in the world or not. Around 2.2 million people visited the Kolkata Book Fair last year. Let those who are jealous about it say whatever they wish to. Every festival in Bengal is the best in the country. Without books, we can't have knowledge. Many people now-a-days type or read posts on social media. But feelings can only be expressed through writing, not by typing. Alternative of books can only be books and nothing else."

During the inaugural programme, Banerjee stated that despite being entitled to get a pension as she was a Member of Parliament (MP) seven times, she does not take a single penny from the Central exchequer. Not only that, she does not even take a single rupee as salary from the state government.

"I hope Delhi need not worry about my earnings. I earn sufficient from the royalty of my books and by composing music," she added.

Later the Chief Minister she brought out a calendar where her paintings have been utilised. After its official launch, she said: "While publishing the calendar, Suva da (Suvaprasanna) told me that Delhi might say something regarding this too. I told him 'let them say'. I will send them copies of some books and calendars."

The Publishers and Booksellers Guild has thanked Banerjee for her initiative regarding the Book Fair. Tridib Chatterjee, secretary of the Guild, stated that due to her intervention, people can visit the Book Fair hassle-free.

"Due to her intervention only, the entry has been made free and arrangements of drinking water at the event have been made possible. Also, she intervened and arranged for transportation for the people visiting the Book Fair," Chatterjee said.