Jairam Ramesh says Mamata taking credit for Central schemes

Launching a severe attack on the Mamata Banerjee government, Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today held a rally in Lalgarh, Junglemahal. Ramesh alleged that the state government was taking credit for many rural schemes which were being funded by the Congress government which she often described as "anti-people".

In his second visit to Lalgarh in the last seven months, Jairam claimed that the TMC won the election in Bengal with the Congress alliance and left the UPA after her purpose was served. Similarly, the TMC government announces schemes which are funded by the Centre and takes sole credit for them.

"In my last visit here, I told that the Congress never took political VRS in Bengal. After TMC left, Congress has taken a re-birth in Bengal. We know that there are parties which fight election with our assistance and support and after winning, they leave us. But we are a big party which continues moving forward. Here in Bengal, the chief minister announced an employment scheme and named it 'Ananddhara'. But the fact is , the 'dhara' comes from the Centre and 'ananda' is enjoyed by the state, Ramesh said sarcastically. The state government announced all the schemes after getting funds from the Centre, but then it tells the people that the Centre does not give any funds to the state," Ramesh said while addressing a mass rally here.

"For being in opposition, a party needs to have enthusiasm and energy, but to run an administration, a party needs proper judgement," he added, criticising the law-and-order situation in the state.

"We will start campaigning in the state for panchayat elections with full strength. We brought change in Bengal after 34 years of Left rule. But the people did not get development. So they would seek change again. We will tell the people that they have seen what the CPM has done, they are aware of the work done by the TMC and now they should give chance to the Congress," said Ramesh in Maoist-affected Junglemahal.

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