Jaitley attacks Banerjee over Saradha scam, Burdwan blast probe

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Sunday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her reactions to the arrest of leaders of her Trinamool Congress in the Saradha chit fund scam as well as her statements in the Burdwan blast case.

In an article posted on Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) website, Jaitley wrote: "I was deeply disappointed with Mamata Didi's reaction to the interrogation and arrest of some of TMC leaders in the Sharada hit fund scam.

"Some individuals connected with the TMC have been involved in making easy money from the Ponzi schemes it was incumbent on any responsible leader to purge the party of such leaders. It is regrettable that Mamata Didi instead of doing that has chosen to identify herself with the cause of these leaders," he said.

The senior BJP leader also raised questions about Banerjee's intentions for terming the Burdwan blasts as stage-managed.

"The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has arrested several people who have engineered the blast. They are enemies of the state.

"The West Bengal police or other intelligence agencies have no substantive material to establish that the blast was stage-managed. If there is no such material, why has Didi (Banerjee) chosen to allege that the blast was stage managed," he asked.

"Such allegations clearly help the actual culprits. This is neither responsible nor nationalistic," he said.

The finance minister further praised the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful foreign visits, especially the G20 summit that have contributed in enhancing India's image.

Citing the example of US President Barack Obama's acceptance of be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations, Jaitley said: "What better recognition should there be of India's enhanced stature than President Obama agreeing to be the chief guest of India at our Republic Day parade."