"Mamata Banerjee is looting Bengal..." says Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Barrackpore (West Bengal) [India], May 10 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of corruption and interference in the ongoing investigation of the Sandeshkhali case.
Assam CM Sarma on Friday criticized Banerjee's governance, alleging that she has been looting Bengal. "What is her (CM Banerjee) issue? She is only looting Bengal nothing else," he said.
"If you take bribes to give jobs, that's not acceptable for someone of Mamata's status. At least you shouldn't take money when giving jobs. No one should take money, whether they're Hindu or Muslim," Sarma said.
The Calcutta High Court on April 22 declared all appointments null and void in the selection of candidates in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided secondary and higher secondary schools through a 2016 recruitment process.
The court has ordered the School Service Commission (SSC) to conduct fresh recruitments.
The court further ordered that those who were recruited illegally would have to return their salary within six weeks.
Furthermore, Sarma highlighted concerns about CM Mamta's interference in the investigation into the Sandeshkhali case.
"Regarding the Sandeshkhali (case), the Supreme Court and High Court have said that CBI should investigate. You (CM Banerjee) shouldn't interfere. If both the High Court and Supreme Court have instructed CBI to investigate, why are you interfering with the investigation process? It means there's something suspicious in your heart; otherwise, why would you interfere?" Sarma said.
Shahjahan Sheikh, who is the key Sandeshkhali accused, is currently behind bars in connection with the attack on a team of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) while it was in the process of raiding his residence in connection with the alleged ration scam.
The women of Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district came out on the streets earlier against the ruling TMC and Shahjahan, accusing him and his aides of perpetrating gross excesses and atrocities on them while also gobbling up their land. Multiple women on the island accused Shajahan and his aides of "land-grab and sexual assault" under coercion. (ANI)
Sarma expressed confidence in the BJP's prospects in the Northeast, predicting, "BJP will win 22 out of 25 seats in Northeast. In Assam we will win 12 out of 14 seats, we might win 13 seats."
Voting began in four parliamentary constituencies in Assam - Guwahati, Barpeta, Kokrajhar and Dhubri, in the third phase of polls completed Tuesday.
The Lok Sabha elections are being held across seven phases, from April 19 to June 1. The counting is scheduled for June 4. (ANI)