TMC MP Derek O’Brien, while addressing a press conference at the Trinamool Bhavan, rejected claims that the West Bengal government did not provide utilisation certificates for central funds. “This is fiscal federal terrorism. It is nothing but another attempt by the BJP to target Bengal as they are failing to take on the TMC politically.

The statements in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report are being twisted deliberately by the Opposition to engage in malicious propaganda. The TMC will not take responsibility for the Left’s lack of accountability during their regime as we have followed all protocols while in power,” said O’Brien.

TMC Lok Sabha MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, who was present at the conference, also claimed that utilisation certificates for thousands of crores of rupees have not been submitted in the BJP-ruled states such as Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand.

Citing the CAG report on usage of government funds, the BJP recently targeted the West Bengal government alleging a staggering “mother of all scams” totalling approximately Rs 2 lakh crore in the Trinamool Congress-governed state.

Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari said, “TMC-run panchayats have prepared false bills with regard to MGNREGA expenditure. The TMC is flagging the MGNREGA issue to use the money for elections. It is a corrupt government which has looted people’s money and failed to submit utilisation certificates.”

CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “The state government must respond to the CAG’s concerns. Instead of crying, the government must release a white paper on this,” said Chakraborty.