West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s attempt to flex muscles appears to not have takers in the Centre, as Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday shot down her demands for sanction of a project to construct 18,000 km-long roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) in her state.
Ms Banerjee, who appears to be going hammer and tongue against the erstwhile Left government in West Bengal, has also refused to accept that over 6,000 habitations in the state were connected. Ironically, the previous Left Front-led state government had declared them connected.
In another indication of the ruling Trinamul Congress’ aversions to any hints of the Left rule, the state government in a representation to the Union rural development ministry sought approval for construction of 18,000 km, which are currently made of murran (red stand stone) colour road.
However, Mr Ramesh was apparently not impressed with the submissions of the West Bengal government delegation.
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BJP calls for cong leader’s clarification
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, April 23
In an indication that the Parliament Session, beginning from Tuesday, might get disrupted over the CD controversy allegedly involving Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the main Opposition BJP on Monday said it expects a clarification from Mr Singhvi for the reasons for quitting the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on law and justice.
Terming the CD controversy as a “serious issue”, the party also claimed that Mr Singhvi’s resignation does not end the matter.
Sources disclosed the main Opposition will press for examination of the matter either by the Rajya Sabha’s privilege committee or the ethics committee depending on the veracity of the purported CD. Mr Singhvi is a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan.
He resigned from the chairmanship of the standing committee on law and justice as well as the post of spokesperson of the Congress Party. He has said the purported CD is “doctored”.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said, “This is a serious matter and the party has so far restrained itself from speaking on the issue. I hope Parliament will get an explanation from him on his decision to resign.”