Modi govt takes from people, Mamata gives: TMC's Abhishek Banerjee

Sitalkuchi (WB): Criticising the Union government over the hike in commercial LPG prices, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that while the Mamata Banerjee administration was providing relief to people, the Narendra Modi-led Centre was "taking from them."

Addressing an election rally in the town near the Bangladesh border, the TMC MP alleged that rising prices of vegetables and essentials had put people under severe hardship.

"While on the one hand Modi is taking from people, on the other, Mamata Banerjee is giving," Banerjee said.

Commercial LPG rates were raised by Rs 195.50 per cylinder on Wednesday, mirroring the surge in global oil prices linked to the widening West Asia conflict.

He claimed that despite the Centre not releasing funds for implementing various central welfare schemes, the Mamata Banerjee dispensation was using its own resources to provide support for housing, job-guarantee programmes, roads, and water supply projects.

"The BJP MLAs who won from several constituencies in north Bengal in 2021 did nothing for the local people," he alleged.

The opposition in this region will not be seen even with binoculars after the Assembly polls, he added.

"I hear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will come to Cooch Behar on April 5. I challenge him to release a white paper detailing whether even one person from the district received funds under the Centre's Awas Yojana," he said.

The TMC leader asserted he will leave the political arena if Modi produces a white paper stating that they gave even ten paise to any beneficiary under the 100-day job guarantee scheme.

"If they can prove they (Centre) have given ten paise under Gram Sadak Yojana in Cooch Behar, then I will stop campaigning for the TMC in the election," Banerjee said.

He asserted that a Mamata Banerjee government in its fourth term will ensure that women continue to get life-long financial benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.

"What have the BJP MLAs in Cooch Behar district done for the people?" he asked, stating that the people were not deprived despite poor election results for the TMC in the district.

Banerjee highlighted promises in the TMC manifesto for the 2026 elections, including piped water connections to every household in the state, setting up health camps at the block level, and providing old-age pensions to all residents above 60 years, regardless of Centre funding.

"After the TMC forms the government for the fourth term, it will set up health camps at every block level to bring medical facilities to the doorstep of people," he said.

The TMC leader said they will also provide old-age pension to all the residents of the state who attain the age of 60 years.

He urged the people of Sitalkuchi not to vote for the BJP, claiming that several people were killed in firing by central forces on polling day in 2021.

CISF personnel reportedly resorted to firing after repeated attempts to pacify some protesters failed. Four people died in the incident on April 10, 2021, during the fourth phase of polling in the assembly elections.

Speaking at an election rally at Ambari in Jalpaiguri district, Banerjee challenged the BJP to present a 'report card' of its work for the people of Rajganj constituency under the Modi government over the past 12 years.

"I will come with the report card of the TMC government since 2011, and you come with yours. My name is not Abhishek Banerjee if I cannot vanquish you with the data," he said.

He highlighted the Mamata Banerjee government’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, claiming that 2.40 crore women in West Bengal have benefited from it.

"No BJP-ruled state has provided anything similar to women," he said, adding that the BJP's promises of Rs 3,000 under the scheme were "false assurances."

Banerjee alleged that poor people had suffered under demonetisation, LPG gas booking issues, and an 'unplanned lockdown' during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"On April 23, during the first phase polls, we will have to stand in queue to give the proper reply," he said.

The TMC has fielded Arjuna awardee heptathlete Swapna Barman, who recently joined the party, replacing four-time MLA Khageswar Roy.

"Roy's unfinished work will be taken forward by Barman," Banerjee said, adding that Roy will continue to work as a guardian.

He alleged that in BJP-ruled states, Bengali-speaking people have been branded as Bangladeshis and subjected to atrocities.

Addressing a third election meeting in Falakata, which the BJP won in 2021, Banerjee said that "whole-hearted support" of women will ensure a fourth term for the TMC.

"With the elections having been announced, BJP's migrant leaders will come now to hold campaigns," Banerjee said.