Swaraj flays Sonia, Rahul for remarks on Central assistance

Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Monday alleged that the comments of Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on use of Central funds by the NDA government in Bihar had "put a question mark" on the federal structure.

Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Monday alleged that the comments of Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on use of Central funds by the NDA government in Bihar had "put a question mark" on the federal structure.

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"Both the Congress president and general secretary continue to flaunt central assistance to Bihar ... it has put a question mark on the existing federal structure," Swaraj told reporters in Patna.

"It is mandated under the federal structure of the Constitution ... the states only generate revenue by realisation of sales tax, while collections otherwise go to the Centre for distribution among the states as central assistance," she said.

Such comments will make the states not subscribe to the move for goods service tax.

Development took place in Bihar because the Nitish Kumar-led state government extended the benefits to the poor without corruption, she said

She said while the RJD had spent Rs 25000 crore for development during 15 years of its rule, the NDA spent over Rs 70,000 crore in just five years to change the face of Bihar.

Swaraj hoped that the people will repose faith again on the NDA to make Bihar a developed state by 2015.

The Gandhis, during election meetings in Bihar, had claimed that the Centre had provided more funds for the development of the state "but it failed to reach the deserving sections of society because of corruption."