Centre allowing LIC, SBI to invest in private firms: Mamata on Adani row

Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee attacked the central government over the Adani group’s investment in the public sector undertaking.

Mamata Banerjee took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of running to courts to halt the state government’s progress works

By Anirban Sinha Roy: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday attacked the central government over the Adani group’s investment in public sector undertakings like the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and the State Bank of India (SBI).

“The central government allows the LIC and SBI to invest in private companies. Your money is being diverted to private companies without checks and balances,” said the chief minister.

“Why is the Modi government allowing the Adani group to invest in public sector undertakings?” questioned CM Mamata.

She also took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of running to courts to halt the state government’s progress works.

ALSO READ | ‘Mamata was not attacked in Tripura, but JP Nadda was in Bengal’: BJP slams Trinamool

Speaking at an event in West Bengal’s Siliguri, the chief minister said, “While we are busy giving employment, BJP leaders are hurtling to courts filing cases and halting our progress.”

Charging the BJP with corruption, CM Mamata said, “They are behaving like saints and have forgotten about the Vyapam scam that occurred in Madhya Pradesh under the BJP rule.”

“Why don’t BJP leaders say how many people committed suicide due to the Vyapam Scam?” she said.

Adani Group’s share fell sharply after US short seller Hindenburg Research issued a scathing report, accusing the conglomerate of stock manipulation, improper use of tax havens and even money laundering.

ALSO READ | Adani vs Hindenburg: All you need to know about face-off