Centre should provide a special package to Bengal: Rajnath

In an effort to woo back its former ally the Trinamool Congress, BJP president Rajnath Singh today said that the Centre should provide a special package to West Bengal, but under its proper surveillance.
"I am well aware of the financial condition of Bengal. The state government's income is 21,000 crore and it is paying interest of 26,000 crore to the Centre for the huge debt over the years," Singh told reporters here.
"We feel that the Centre should provide the state government with a special package. But there should be proper surveillance by the Centre so that the special package is properly used by the state," he said.

The Trinamool Congress, a former key ally, which broke away from the UPA over the Centre's decision to allow FDI in retail, has repeatedly demanded a special package for the debt-ridden state.
Earlier from 1998 till 2007, Trinamool was a part of the BJP-led NDA.
Asked whether this was aimed at winning back the TMC, Singh said, "I have said this keeping in mind the interests of Bengal. It is part of constructive politics. It should not be seen the other way. I have also said that there should be proper monitoring of the special package by the central government."

Asked specifically whether there was a possibility of BJP allying with the Trinamool Congress in the next Lok Sabha polls, Singh said, "Neither the BJP nor the NDA has any such proposal in front of it for consideration.