Accusing the Trinamool Congress of taking the state backward by halting the growth story of Bengal, CPI(M) politburo member Mohammed Salim today said criminals are assuming political identity in the state under Trinamool Congress regime.
"The growth story that was taking place in Bengal during the Left regime is completely halted. Now what is happening is politicisation of criminals through syndicates, land mafia," Salim said while addressing a panel discussion at the Statesman Award for rural reporting.
Noted economist Avirup Sarkar disagreed with Salim and said things have started moving in right direction under Mamata Banerjee rule.
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"Things have started moving in the right direction under Mamata Banerjee...Lot of hospitals and new universities have come up under the new regime...Which should have come up during the 34 years of left regime..On the industry front too getting away with the millitant trade unionism has been an achievement," he said.
Sarkar, while countering the charge that no new industries have come up due to the land policy of the state, said it needs to be understood that Mamata Banerjee has come up through anti-land acquisition movement, so it is not possible for her to forcibly acquire farm land for industries.
BJP leader S Chari said that Bengal is poised for a change after the 2016 assembly polls.
