Rahul accuses Trinamool of using Bengal for its party organisation

Observing that there has been no real change in West Bengal despite a change in the government, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Thursday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of using the state for its party organisation.

Addressing a party rally in West Midnapore district's Debra, Gandhi said he wanted see all products which now are China made, to be manufactured indigenously.

"When we joined the Trinamool to oust the Left Front, we had thought a change will come in Bengal. Unfortunately there has been no change, only the red flag has changed to green but Bengal remains the same," he said.

Rubbishing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claims that Bengal did not receive central funds, Gandhi accused her Trinamool of extending benefits of government schemes only to its party workers.

"Mamata says we don't send central funds, but the fact is we have sent Rs.26,000 crore central funds which is five times more than what the NDA gave. Not only that, this government has been performing poorly.

"When other states are registering 100 days of work under MNREGA, Bengal has got just 35 days. It talks about jobs but there can be no jobs because there is no industry here," said Gandhi.

"Trinamool is using the state only for its party organisation. Government here talks about the welfare of the peope but only those who are in Trinamool's fold are getting the benefits.

"If you do not belong to Trinamool, you will not receive the benefits rather you will be exploited as well as assaulted by them. I have heard how Congress workers are being assaulted by Trinamool workers," said Gandhi.

He also attacked the Banerjee regime over the Saradha chit fund scam and the irregularities in the appointment of primary school teachers.

"Mamata talks big, talks about the poor but the sad part is corruption still prevails in Bengal, as it used to be earlier. You have heard about the Saradha scma which ruined 20 lakh people and now we are seeing the teachers recruitment process where there have been irregularities," he said.

Asserting that the Congress was working on developing infrastructure, Gandhi said his vision is to see all products from slippers to t-shirts which are now China made are manufactured indigenously.

"When (Narendra) Modi sees his T-shirt, he should see it made in Bengal, made in Bengal. Mamataji, whose slipper probably is made in China, would be changing her slippers," said Gandhi as the crowd reciprocated with a loud roar.

Questioning why Bengal topped the country in term of crime and atrocities against women, Gandhi said if the Congress came to power it will ensure 33 percent reservation for women in parliament and state assemblies beside 25 percent reservation for them in the police force.

He also said that his party would ensure free medical treatment for the poor.