Abhishek Banerjee Challenges BJP on Fund Allocations for West Bengal
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Kolkata, March 30 (NationPress) Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, stated on Monday that his party is prepared to withdraw candidates from all 291 Assembly seats in West Bengal if the BJP can demonstrate that the Centre has allocated funds under the PM Awas Yojana to the residents of the state.
During a public gathering in Jhalda, located in the Purulia district, Banerjee emphasized that his declaration was not a mere emotional reaction, but a serious commitment based on certain conditions.
He claimed that the ruling party at the Centre has been systematically depriving West Bengal of financial resources.
Specifically, the Trinamool Congress has consistently voiced concerns regarding the lack of Central funding for rural development and various social welfare initiatives. In this light, he directed a pointed challenge at local BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato.
“If he (Jyotirmay Singh Mahato) can present proof that, in the last five years, PM Modi’s government has contributed even a mere 10 paise towards the housing scheme for the underprivileged, then the Trinamool Congress will withdraw its candidates from all 291 seats,” he remarked.
This statement served to amplify the accusations surrounding the financial neglect of West Bengal attributed to the BJP.
He further contended that the BJP, having garnered votes from the populace of West Bengal, later denied those very citizens their rightful financial support.
“Central allocations have been halted across multiple sectors — from housing schemes to the ‘100 days’ work’ initiative under MGNREGA. This upcoming election is a chance to respond to this deprivation. Do not cast a single vote for the BJP for denying people their rights,” he urged.
Banerjee also pointed out that there is no clear evidence of what the BJP has achieved for West Bengal in the past five years.
He asserted that the Central government has not introduced any new financial support; instead, it has exacerbated the hardships faced by ordinary citizens by compelling them to stand in long queues.