China interfering in state, thanks to BJP, says Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday blamed the Centre’s “faulty diplomatic policy” and said it was responsible for making Bengal the worst sufferer. She further alleged that China had been interfering in the affairs of the state government with around 400 schools being set up in Pashupati Gate (Indo Nepal border) for teaching Chinese.

“Under the NDA regime, India’s relation with neighbouring countries like China, Nepal and Bhutan have worsened. We are the worst sufferers. Where is NIA? intelligence agencies? Why are the borders kept open? What is SSB, IB, RAW doing here?” she questioned, alleging that people belonging to the Jamaat were being allowed inside.

Claiming her government was a victim of politics, she said, “West Bengal is gateway to Northeast. If chicken neck area is compromised, Sikkim and Darjeeling are just next to each other. The Central government has spoiled relations with all neighbouring countries and we are the biggest sufferers as we share the border with them. China is interfering and we are suffering. Hindu Vahini is giving training in Assam on how to operate guns. VHP is backing it and so are Central agencies.The Centre is simply cooling its heels.”

Talking to reporters about the Presidential election 2017, in which her party is backing Opposition’s Meira Kumar, Ms Banerjee said, “It’s a vote against injustice.It is a fight of ideologies. There are a lot of regional parties, which are supporting the BJP. We request them to stay away from the BJP.”

Ms Banerjee has already written to Union home minister Rajnath Singh over the issue of alleged Chinese interference in state affairs. She claimed to have informed the Ministry of External Affairs as to why Viswa Hindu Parishad, an organisation of the BJP, burnt effigies of Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina in Bengal.

She further hit out at the Narendra Modi government, saying demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) were the “biggest scams”. “Demonetisation and GST are the biggest scams. We will not bow our head. We will be happy to go to jail but will not succumb to pressure,” she said.

The Trinamul Congress Parliamentary party decided to go for an all-out attack against BJP over various issues. “We will go for an all-out attack against the BJP in the the Parliament. We will protest against the mandatory Aadhar linking, violence over Gorkhaland in the Hills, China’s alleged interference into the state’s internal policies and non-cooperation from the Centre,” Ms Banerjee said after a meeting with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs in her chamber in the Assembly.

Ms Banerjee met Basirhat MLA Dipendu Biswas and is likely to have taken stock of the present situation in Basirhat.