Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Jun 23: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday accused the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government of committing large-scale financial irregularities in connection with the organisation of the annual Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS).
Participating in a discussion on the state budget presented by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta in the Assembly on Monday, Adhikari alleged that the former administration had unlawfully disbursed Rs 325 crore to a national industry association for organising the summit.
The Finance Minister had tabled the full Budget for the 2026-27 financial year on Monday, with deliberations on the proposals scheduled to continue until June 25.
During the debate, Adhikari launched a sharp attack on former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging corruption in the conduct of the business summit. Displaying a file before legislators, he claimed it contained Banerjee's signature approving a payment of Rs 324.73 crore to the industry association.
He alleged that the transaction was illegal and described it as a clear instance of financial misconduct.
“The payment was completely unlawful and amounts to corruption. However, this is only a small part of a much larger issue. Every allegation of corruption linked to the previous government will be investigated,” Adhikari said.
This is not the first time the Chief Minister has raised concerns over expenditure related to the Bengal Global Business Summit.
On June 13, he had alleged that the previous government paid Rs 635 crore to an advertising and event management company for organising various editions of the summit and had ordered a probe into the matter.
“At least Rs 635 crore was paid to a particular event management company for organising the Bengal Global Business Summit. An investigation will determine under which heads these expenditures were made and whether proper procedures were followed,” he had said at the time.
While his earlier remarks focused on the expenditure itself, Adhikari on Tuesday directly linked Mamata Banerjee to the alleged irregularities, intensifying the political confrontation over the issue.
The allegations have added a new dimension to the ongoing budget session, with discussions expected to continue in the Assembly over the coming days.