Dharmendra Pradhan Critiques Bengal Administration for Hindering Central Initiatives
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Synopsis
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticizes the West Bengal government for impeding Central projects during a party event, highlighting issues in law enforcement and electoral prospects for the BJP in the state.
Key Takeaways
- Pradhan accuses Bengal government of project delays.
- 7,101-km pipeline project remains unrealized.
- Railway project funding increased significantly.
- Concerns raised about law and order in the state.
- BJP aims for electoral success in 2026 elections.
Kolkata, Feb 9 (NationPress) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed his concerns on Sunday regarding the West Bengal government, accusing it of obstructing the execution of various Central projects in the state under different justifications.
The Minister was present in Kolkata to address a party event named "Budget Talk—A phenomenal step towards Viksit Bharat".
During interactions with the media on the sidelines of the event, Pradhan mentioned that while he served as the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, he had proposed a 7,101-km pipeline project spanning Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.
He stated that despite numerous discussions with the West Bengal government over the past seven years, the project remains unimplemented in the state.
Furthermore, Pradhan pointed out that similar instances of non-cooperation from the state government are observable in the execution of railway initiatives in West Bengal.
He remarked, "Since the BJP-led NDA government assumed office in West Bengal in 2014, the budget for railway projects has surged from Rs 4,000 crore to approximately Rs 14,000 crore. However, due to lack of cooperation, the actual deployment of these funds has not materialized in West Bengal," he elaborated.
Touching upon the tragic incident involving the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital last year, Minister Pradhan emphasized that this incident underscores the dire law and order situation in West Bengal, where even criminal elements can infiltrate the police force disguised as civic volunteers.
The lone convict in the rape and murder case, Sanjay Roy, was previously a civic volunteer associated with Kolkata Police.
"This situation is a grave concern not only for India but also for the entire nation, where criminal elements can be incorporated into social policing," he stated.
He also mentioned that BJP's significant increase in vote share to over 40 percent in West Bengal suggests a real possibility of winning the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
In response, Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee ridiculed his assertion, claiming that BJP would struggle to secure even 30 Assembly constituencies in the upcoming elections.
"Rest assured, there will be no place for BJP in West Bengal in 2026," Banerjee concluded.
