Modi slams Mamata over Saradha scam

Turning to the large gathering, Modi asked whether those involved in the scam should be punished and whether the sufferers should not be paid back their investments.

Taking on P Chidambaram, Modi said, “You are the finance minister of the country, who are you trying to shield, who are you helping? Mamataji and Chidambaramji, the people of Bengal want to know who are you together trying to save?

“I want to draw your attention that owing to some people, your image is getting sullied. This is not good for you and not for the country's democracy also,” he said.

Sarcastically lauding Banerjee's talent for painting, Modi said, “Your paintings used to be sold for Rs four lakh, Rs 8 lakh or Rs 15 lakh, but what is the reason that one of your paintings sold for Rs 1.80 crore. I respect art. But who was the person who bought the painting for Rs 1.80 crore.”

“Who all have bought her paintings, for what price they bought it, suddenly how they found out your talent, this the people of Bengal want to know.

“If for this your image has suffered blemishes, then the people of Bengal, who are known to be ardent lovers of art, where art is worshipped, then the people of Bengal will not tolerate if art is sold in the hands of thieves,” he said.