West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said a few people are "always attacking us and maligning us". She took a veiled jibe at the BJP and said, "When I was the railway minister, if a cockroach was seen it was news, but now they are giving dirty bedsheets and no one is raising any issue."

Without naming the BJP, she said, "They are staying in Bengal, eating in Bengal but asked Delhi not to give money to Bengal. I don't need your money." This was in reference to the attack by Bengal BJP leaders who wrote to the Centre saying the Bengal government should not be given funds for projects as CM Mamata renamed central schemes in the state and took credit. 

The West Bengal chief minister made her statement while distributing smartphones to students in Kolkata. She said she had decided to distribute smartphones to students after they were unable to attend school during the pandemic. 

"So far, we have given smartphones to 17 lakh students. Today you will also get Rs 10,000 in your bank account when you reach home" said Mamata, while addressing the students. 

Further, Mamata Banerjee said the number of students enrolled on the Bengal board has increased since she came into power. "Previously, the Bengal board did not give numbers, but when I came to power I said that there is CBSC and ICSC," she said while adding that she asked the board to increase the number of Bengal board students so they can compete with the other boards. 

(With inputs from agencies)