Sitharaman visits West Bengal, speaks of economic decline

Highlighting a number of economic indicators to mark the “decline” of West Bengal, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, touched upon several political issues, including electoral violence and the recent unrest at Sandeshkhali

Highlighting a number of economic indicators to mark the “decline” of West Bengal, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while addressing a gathering in the State on February 27 touched upon several political issues, including electoral violence and the recent unrest at Sandeshkhali.

“Sandeshkhali... my body shakes when I talk about it and the audacity of the State administration in not arresting the culprit. Can there be a leadership either male or female which can bear with it? They did not arrest. I remember how many times they raised the issue of Manipur and the Union Home Minister had to come and respond to that,” Ms. Sitharaman said while delivering a talk on Viksit Bharat and Eastern India.

Referring to recent remarks by the Trinamool Congress leadership that the prime accused in the Sandeshkhali issue, Sheikh Shahjahan, will be arrested in seven days, the Finance Minister said, “This makes it clear that you are aware where he (Sheikh Shahjahan) is. How can you otherwise say that you will arrest him in a week? Your Ministers are going there and no one else is allowed. What kind of law and order is it.”

Ms. Sitharaman said that the people of the State should get their mojo back. “How long will you tolerate this absolutely irresponsible government?” she asked.

While the allegations of sexual assault and land grab at Sandeshkhali were highlighted by the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal over the past several weeks, Ms. Sitharaman was the first key Union Minister to highlight the issue from the State’s soil. The Finance Minister said that 40 people died in the panchayat elections last year and there was still no answer from the State government on the issue.

On the allegations of denial of MGNREGS wages, she said there were 25 lakh fake job cards in the State. “It is a demand-driven scheme. How can I pay the taxpayers’ money?” she said.

She said that when the Union government said the money should be recovered from fake beneficiaries, the West Bengal government instead paid the workers from its treasury, thereby duping taxpayers twice.