Naxalbari, West Bengal:
In a no-holds barred attack on Rahul Gandhi without naming him, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee today dubbed the Congress vice-president "an upstart leader" who did not know his facts correctly.
"Upstart leaders from Delhi are saying a lot of funds are provided to West Bengal. Do you know accounts? Did you ever do it and do you know what work is? Do you know how funds come and are spent and how they are returned," Ms Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister, told an election rally in Naxalbari in West Bengal.
"I challenge it. I do not want to take names. I feel ashamed. I name such persons who are worthy to be named. I do not name those who are not worthy of it.
"They are the sons and daughters of latsahebs and zamindars who do not know about the poor and suffering. You (Congress) were in power for 66 years," she said.
She also referred to Mr Gandhi as the proverbial cuckoo which was seen only at certain times of the year.
"Throughout the year, I am with the people. I know their problems and they know me. I am not like the proverbial cuckoo that arrives in spring and disappears once the season is over," she said.
Ms Banerjee also said "I am like a ferocious tornado and will fight against the deprivation of Bengal as long as I live. No one can touch me. I am not afraid of Delhi. Try and touch me and see the result. After the elections, you will have to fall at our feet," she said.
She alleged that the Centre was not providing funds for food for work, immunisation and Jawaharlal Nehru Urban National Renewal Mission projects besides the backward region grant funds and irrigation projects.
Attacking the Centre for trying to "economically starve" Bengal and dwelling on interest payment for the loans taken by the earlier Left Front government, she said, "You have done treachery, fraud and deprivation of Bengal and are talking big. Congress should not get a single vote for this reason."
She also said that the Centre was taking away Rs 40,000 crore on account of income tax and custom duties.