 "Mamata takes to streets, says Centre plotting to defame TMC")
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to the streets on Monday to protest against an alleged conspiracy of the central government to defame her party, Trinamool Congress (TMC). She challenged the Centre to arrest her.
According to estimates, more than 30,000 people took part in the rally.
"We want every penny of the black money back. We want an account of all the expenses of the prime minister's (foreign) trips," she said.
In an apparent reference to the State Bank of India (SBI)'s loan plans for Adani Group's coal venture in Australia, the minister said: "Why did the SBI give Rs 5,000 crore to a private company? Isn't this hawala?"
The bank recently said the loan would be extended only after its board took a call.
Daring the Centre to arrest her over the Saradha scam, Banerjee said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won the Lok Sabha elections because there was no alternative.
Over the past few months, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has stepped up investigations into the irregularities of a Ponzi scheme run by Saradha, a group of 200 private companies. The group had collected over Rs 2,500 crore. When it collapsed in April last year, it led to a huge face loss for the Mamata Banerjee-led government.
It has also been a source of constant embarrassment for the TMC. Last week, its member of Parliament Srinjoy Bose was arrested by the CBI. West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra has also been summoned.
The opposition parties in the state are questioning Banerjee's alleged links to Sudipta Sen, the imprisoned chairman and managing director of the Saradha group. The BJP has been the most vocal critic of the ruling party, positioning itself as the chief opposition party, though it has only one member in the 294-strong legislative assembly.
According to estimates, more than 30,000 people took part in the rally.
"We want every penny of the black money back. We want an account of all the expenses of the prime minister's (foreign) trips," she said.
In an apparent reference to the State Bank of India (SBI)'s loan plans for Adani Group's coal venture in Australia, the minister said: "Why did the SBI give Rs 5,000 crore to a private company? Isn't this hawala?"
The bank recently said the loan would be extended only after its board took a call.
Daring the Centre to arrest her over the Saradha scam, Banerjee said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won the Lok Sabha elections because there was no alternative.
Over the past few months, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has stepped up investigations into the irregularities of a Ponzi scheme run by Saradha, a group of 200 private companies. The group had collected over Rs 2,500 crore. When it collapsed in April last year, it led to a huge face loss for the Mamata Banerjee-led government.
It has also been a source of constant embarrassment for the TMC. Last week, its member of Parliament Srinjoy Bose was arrested by the CBI. West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra has also been summoned.
The opposition parties in the state are questioning Banerjee's alleged links to Sudipta Sen, the imprisoned chairman and managing director of the Saradha group. The BJP has been the most vocal critic of the ruling party, positioning itself as the chief opposition party, though it has only one member in the 294-strong legislative assembly.