Kolkata. Mamata Banerjee goes on all-out attack in her election campaign in defence of her controversial income from her fantastic painting with Mida's touch. Mamata herself is speaking on Ponzi scam better than anyone else while her opposition, Left and Right seemed to have given her walk out in the local body's election. It has made the Bengal tiger more and more aggressive smelling yet another land slide win.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday countered allegations about her Trinamool Congress' funding patterns, including proceeds from sale of her paintings, asserting she doesn't take a penny from the earnings and her party files tax returns.

Her comments come a day after Bengal's ruling party furnished documents in response to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) notice seeking its account details. The agency is probing the multi-crore-rupee Saradha Ponzi scheme scam.

"They (the BJP) are questioning my paintings and books. Who are they to ask these details?

"We have filed IT returns. I don't claim to be a professional painter. I draw on canvas whatever I feel like. If people give us even one penny from their hard-earned money, it is a big blessing for us. Proceeds from the sales of my paintings and books go to the party. I don't take a rupee. I even pay for my tea at Nabanna," she said.

Meanwhile, Indian Express reports that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday claimed she can sell her paintings for crores and can decide the price for the same with no one having the authority to question her.

Accusing the Opposition, Central investigating agencies and the media of trying to taint the image of Trinamool Congress, Mamata — while addressing a rally in Beliaghata, a Left Front stronghold, ahead of the April 18 KMC polls — said as a painter, she will decide how much her party can get from her paintings. This comes days after the CBI sent a notice to Trinamool seeking details of its income from 2010 to 2014.

Palash Biswas

Hastakshep