Banerjee denies government not cooperating with Saradha probe

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday challenged the opposition to substantiate its allegation that her government was not cooperating with the Saradha probe, and claimed the law and order situation was "very peaceful".

Banerjee, replying to the debate on the motion of grants for the home department, rubbished opposition allegations that the ruling party was perpetrating violence on political opponents and said "family strife" cases were being depicted as political violence.

Regarding the Saradha issue, being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation and other central agencies, she said her government has already handed over documents related to the scandal.

Banerjee said Leader of Opposition Surjya Kanta Mishra, who made the allegations, should provide proof.

Furnishing statistics, she said number of incidents of political violence and atrocities against women have come down in the state since her government came to power in 2011.

Fourteen people lost their lives due to political violence in 2014, while the figure was 1,018 in 2010.

The chief minister said her government would not allow any "space" to anybody trying to foment communal discord.

Earlier, some opposition members had said while speaking on the debate that communal forces have gained in strength in the state.

"Trinamool knows how to deal with communal forces. If anyone tries to destroy the communal amity in the state, we will be his number one enemy," she said.

The debate saw acrimonious exchanges between the chief minister and the Left Front, as the latter targeted her while raising issues regarding law and order.

The LF lawmakers staged walkouts twice during the day -- first in the morning in protest against the chief minister's absence during question hour when matters related to portfolios under her were discussed and second, during the home budget discussions.

"The manner in which Surjyada (Mishra) and others behaved today was not in tune with the tenor of the meeting that was held between me and LF leaders at Nabanna (State Secretariat)," she said.

Ridiculing the LF for the walkouts, she said "irrespective of whether we do something good or not, they walk out".

Earlier, Mishra accused the chief minister of shying away from replying to questions connected to her ministry. "If the chief minister boycotts us, then we will do the same to her."