Kolkata, Dec. 20 -- Trinamool Congress leader Chandrima Bhattacharya on Saturday strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the Centre's "Bangla-birodhi mindset" has pushed West Bengal into deprivation.

She accused the BJP-led Union government of political vendetta, claiming it has withheld nearly Rs 2 lakh crore in funds meant for the state.

"It is the @BJP4India government's deep-rooted Bangla-birodhi mindset that has pushed the people of Bengal into deprivation today. By sheer force and political vendetta, the BJP has withheld nearly Rs.2 lakh crore that rightfully belongs to Bengal," she said.

Bhattacharya alleged that while the BJP insults Bengal's iconic thinkers and cultural figures, it also continues to misle...