Senior Trinamool Congress leader and MP Sudip Bandopadhyay on Sunday created ripples by virtually linking a dream project initiated by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to "develop sports and cultural activities" to special allocations made to thousands of private clubs.

The political circle in Bengal literally exploded after Bandopadhyay called on the clubs to back the Chief Minister in the elections and "show that no party in the country can win as much seats as the Trinamool can in Bengal."

"The hawks are relentless in their campaign against Mamata Banerjee for allocating Rs2 lakh and then Rs1 lakh to clubs. Is this noble initiative taken in the interest of sports and cultural activities badIJ Our Chief Minister has done no wrong in allocating funds to these clubs for the past four years," he said.

"I appeal to these clubs to stand behind the Trinamool Congress in the elections irrespective of your political colours and prove that no party can win more seats in any State than the Trinamool," he said.

The statement triggered a storm leading the opposition parties to wonder once again whether the Chief Minister was "buying over the clubs with taxpayer's money to serve her party's electoral interests."

Mamata Banerjee had made things apparent Sudip Bandopadhyay has only brought them on record," said CPI(M)'s Samik lahiri while Congress' OP Mishra said the voters will not forgive the TMC for wasting hundreds of crores for one person's political interest.