Mamata hits out at CPI-M over bank account

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today hit out at CPI-M questioning the bank accounts of its state committee which had a balance of Rs 16 crore in the names of two top party leaders, including its state party secretary Biman Bose.
"Individually you (Bose) are the secretary of the party (CPI-M). How come such huge amount of Rs 16 crore was deposited (in the account in his name)?," she asked at a panchayat poll campaign here in Howrah district.
"What is your source of income? You are said to be a party whole-timer ... Did you not have Pan card (before opening the account) and did not not have to pay income tax ?" she asked.

Claiming that the money in the bank account of the two CPI(M) leaders was hurriedly transferred to the party account recently, she said that too was another "offence".
Continuing her tirade against the CPI-M, she said now that the news on the bank account had become public, Bose was saying that he was not aware of the bank norms.
"You (Bose) know it (bank norms) quite well. Even last month money was deposited in the account. You tell a lie and think that it will be believed," she said.

Referring to Bose's statement that the concerned bank was also at fault, she questioned "If the bank employees are at fault then how was the money deposited in the account for so many years ?

Claiming that she had seen the documents, Banerjee alleged that "while the common man found it difficult to borrow even Rs 25,000 from a bank nothing was done when CPI(M) leaders keep thousands of crores of rupees in their accounts."
She had earlier accused the Centre of turning a blind eye to such an account, even in a nationalised bank.
"This (the bank account) is in individual names. Imagine how much money is there in the name of the party. How many such accounts are there in individual names? If all the banks conduct investigations properly, the deposit of many more crores of money would come to light," she added.