File photo of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee took a dig at the BJP for defending their leaders accused of corruption. The opposition has been demanding the resignation of BJP leaders over their proximity to disgraced former IPL chief, Lalit Modi and the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh.
Addressing a rally in Kolkata, Ms Bannerjee said, "They who themselves indulge in corruption and communalism should not try to give us advice on corruption. TMC will never bow its heads before BJP."
The 60-year-old leader of Trinamool Congress also accused the BJP led National Democratic Alliance government for cutting down funds for centrally sponsored schemes in the state.
Ms Bannerjee said, "We are fighting against Centre's decision to slash funds for Central schemes... our fight will continue and we will spread this movement from Bengal to Delhi... Those who don't have ideology and morality spread the poison of communalism."
The BJP hit back at the chief minister for indulging in appeasement of minorities.
BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said, "Mamata Banerjee should introspect before raising her finger at BJP... Under her rule Imams were to be given monthly salary... the heinous crime of rape of a nun (at Ranaghat) given communal colour... In fact due to TMC's appeasement politics the state is gradually turning into a Jehadi Hub."
The Centre has said that it is open to debate any issue in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, opposition parties have said they will settle for nothing less than resignations for the House to function smoothly.
Union External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are caught in a political storm over having helped Mr Modi in obtaining travel documents to Britain.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan is being targeted over the Vayapam recruitment scam in his state that revolves around a massive swindle in qualifying tests for colleges and jobs as government teachers, doctors and policemen. Lakhs of candidates allegedly paid bribes to manipulate the exam process, including hiring proxies to take the test for them.