Cong urges Bengal to shun confrontation over debt crisis

Senior Pradesh Congress Committee leader Manas Bhuniya told reporters that he would request Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to sit with the Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister to discuss how to resolve the state's mounting debt problem.

"The new year has set in. West Bengal is passing through financial crisis. The previous Left Front government has left a debt burden of Rs 2.3 lakh crore. I would request the chief minister to stay away from confrontation with the UPA government," Bhuniya, a former state irrigation minister, said at the WBPCC office here.

Bhuniya said that his party was prepared to provide assistance and cooperation in this regard "if we are asked by the Trinamool Congress leadership what assistance they want from us".

"We are ready for cooperation and help to strengthen the state's economy and in any good work," Bhuniya said.

The chief minister recently accused the UPA government of forging an "unholy nexus" with the erstwhile Left Front government by allowing it to take huge loans leaving the state in a debt trap of over Rs 2 lakh crore.

"We have waited for a year and a half but the patience of our people is running out. I am hoping that my presentation today ... Will touch a chord in the heart of the government of India," Banerjee had said in her speech at the recent National Development Council meeting in New Delhi.

She has sought three-year interest moratorium from the Centre.

The Congress leader also expressed concern over mushrooming chit funds in the state which were operating illegally and requested the government to intervene while pointing to RBI guideline to states on acting against chit funds.