Kolkata, Aug 29 (IANS) Barasat MP Kakali Ghosh Dastidar on Saturday launched a sharp attack on her former party, Trinamool Congress, alleging “large‑scale corruption” during its rule and directly targeted party supremo Mamata Banerjee at her first press conference after switching sides.

Addressing media persons, the MP said corruption during the Trinamool government era had not happened anywhere else in India. She alleged smuggling of coal, cows, gold and money laundering in the name of housing schemes and government projects.

Kakali attacked not only the party but also Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee directly. She said Mamata Banerjee’s behaviour in the last five to seven years had shocked her, which is why she decided to leave the party.

It may be noted that Kakali left Trinamool on June 14 along with other MPs and joined the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) after the defeat of Trinamool in the West Bengal Assembly elections. After the party change, she was seen at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in Delhi and in several meetings with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership. Still, she was not seen publicly in her Barasat Lok Sabha constituency.

There was uproar on social media over posts by her and her son Baidyanath Ghosh Dastidar. Kakali alleged she was attacked with obscene language online and complained to the Superintendent of Police of Barasat.

Explaining her reason for leaving, she alleged Trinamool had not respected the law in recent years. She claimed large‑scale corruption such as cow, coal and gold smuggling, and cut money in housing schemes, had taken place.

According to her, a money‑raising syndicate was operating from grassroots workers to the highest levels of the party.

Kakali also accused local leaders of taking money from government projects meant for the poor. She said even when housing schemes or Lakshmi Bhandar benefits were given, money was taken. She claimed common people had rejected Trinamool after realising this.

Despite her criticism, Kakali mentioned her long political relationship with Mamata Banerjee. She said Mamata was her leader and she had entered politics after seeing her since childhood. Later, she said she could not accept Mamata’s degradation and was shocked by her behaviour in recent years, which forced her to leave the party.

–IANS

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