In a heated exchange, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal accused the BJP-led central government of engaging in fiscal federal terrorism during a press conference on Sunday. TMC MP Derek OBrien rejected claims that the West Bengal government failed to provide utilisation certificates for central funds, asserting that the Centre was targeting the state due to political differences.The veteran leader termed it as fiscal federal terrorism. OBrien claimed it was an attempt by the BJP to undermine West Bengal politically as they struggled to counter the TMC. He accused the BJP of deliberately twisting statements in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report to engage in malicious propaganda.#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: TMC MP Derek OBrien says, ... BJP have been indulging in fiscal federal terrorism depriving Bengal. Yesterday was the culmination of a journey which began on 12th May 2022 when the chief minister of Bengal wrote to the Prime Minister...Bengal… pic.twitter.com/wierW57XIP— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2024OBrien emphasized that the TMC adhered to protocols while in power, refusing allegations of lack of accountability during the Lefts regime. He argued that the BJPs attack on the state was a consequence of its inability to challenge Mamata Banerjee politically.Kakoli Ghosh highlights BJPs discrepanciesKakoli Ghosh Dastidar, another senior TMC leader, highlighted discrepancies in BJP-ruled states, stating that utilisation certificates for significant amounts have not been submitted in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand. She accused opposition parties of spreading misinformation and emphasized that Mamata Banerjee would fulfill promises to MGNREGA workers by February 21.Kunal Ghosh also denied any lack or deficit in utilisation certificates since the TMC came to power in 2011, absolving responsibility for the period under the Left Front government.BJP raises eyebrows on CAG reportThe war of words intensified after the BJP seized upon the findings of the CAG report, alleging a massive scam of approximately Rs 2 lakh crore in the TMC-governed state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the CAG report as full of lies and wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue.Meanwhile, the BJP questioned why the state government had not approached the court regarding the alleged non-release of dues. Other political leaders, including CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, called for a response to the CAGs concerns and accused the TMC of using MGNREGA funds for election purposes.Senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha alleged that the TMC government had plundered central allocations for years and criticized Mamata Banerjee for resorting to diversionary tactics in the face of scrutiny. Sinha argued that the CAG report revealed the TMCs complicity in misusing central funds and criticized the partys performance compared to the previous Left regime.
