Corruption Exists In Various Spheres In West Bengal: CPI(M) Leader

Senior CPI(M) leader Mohd Salim on Wednesday alleged that corruption is prevalent in West Bengal in various spheres and that the TMC government “stopped” several welfare schemes initiated during the Left Front rule.
    
Salim also claimed that opposition party workers, who raise their voices against the ruling dispensation, are being intimidated with false criminal cases. 
    
"Corruption prevails in the state in various spheres, whether it be teacher recruitment, 100-day work, housing schemes, or children's mid-day meals," he told reporters here. 
    
Several welfare programmes like unemployment benefits and old-age pensions taken up during the Left Front rule have been “stopped by the current TMC government”, said Salim, the state secretary of the party’s Bengal unit. 
    
"We want to break the nexus of corruption and criminals in the state," he said, asserting that the Left parties have made a mark among people in the rural areas, which go to polls on July 8.
    
He said the panchayat system was introduced in Bengal by the Left Front government after it assumed office in 1977, for decentralisation of power and governance, claiming that the purpose was being defeated by the ruling Trinamool Congress.
    
Alleging that the TMC and the BJP were attempting to divide people on religious lines, Salim said the Left parties are trying to unite the people and help them voice their grievances on real issues of life and livelihood.
    
He also said the State Election Commission (SEC) was “biased towards the ruling party”, and that apart from holding free and fair polls, it has to be ensured ballot boxes are safely stored and counting of votes is done properly.