Kolkata, Jan 20 (IANS): Asserting that democracy has returned to West Bengal during her regime, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday assailed the central government for not aiding the state in its development initiatives.

The Trinamool Congress supremo criticised the Centre for facilitating availability of funds to the opposition CPI-M during the Left Front's rule in the state and alleged that now it was depriving the Banerjee-led government of financial support.

"They (CPI-M-led Left Front) had incurred Rs.28,000 crore in debt which we have to pay. From where will we pay? The central government doesn't help us out at all. They allowed the CPI-M to loan funds but they don't permit us to do that. We are maintaining financial discipline and that is not a crime," she said here.

"Every year, they are deducting Rs.28,000 crore, earmarked for development, but despite that we are not bowing down."

Banerjee claimed her government's efforts have ushered in democracy in the state and catapulted Bengal to the top in several sectors.

She contended the opposition which "destroyed" the state and "let hooliganism prevail" had no right to comment on her government's actions.

"They destroyed Bengal ... the economy ... they reigned with total inhumanity ... they have no right to comment and the people of Bengal have seen the hooliganism in the past 35 years," she said, citing Nandigram, Singur and other movements as examples.

"Now, the people of Bengal are free and democracy is back."