TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of blocking central funds meant for West Bengal, and asserted that contrary to the BJP’s call for “change” in the 2026 Assembly polls, the people of the state would lead the process of dislodging the saffron party from power at the Centre after the state elections.
Addressing a rally at Chopra in Nadia district after a roadshow, the TMC national general secretary said people of the state would not “surrender to outsiders and zamindars in Delhi”, and the BJP’s seats will be reduced to below 50 in the upcoming assembly election, while the saffron party had won 77 seats in 2021.
Charging the BJP-led central government with withholding funds, Banerjee alleged that the BJP wanted the people of Bengal to “bow and surrender”.
Under the fourth phase of the RastaShree-PathaShree scheme of the state, Rs 8,000 crore will be spent across Bengal to construct 20,000 km of roads, he said, adding: “You (PM) have not given even ten paise, but Bengal’s development has not stopped.”
“You blocked funds meant for the people of Bengal to harass them. But the TMC and people of Bengal will not change,” he said, adding that Modi had altered his political messaging in the state over the years.
“Earlier, the PM used to start his rallies with ‘Jai Shri Ram’, now, he says ‘Joy Maa Kali’,” said Banerjee, considered number two in the TMC hierarchy.
The Diamond Harbour MP alleged that the BJP had “inflicted miseries” on the people of Bengal over the last five years and claimed that the party would be reduced to “below 50 seats” in the 2026 Assembly polls.
“’Poriborton habe’ (there will be change). After 2026, Modi will come to Bengal to chant ‘Joy Bangla’,” he said, referring to the TMC’s slogan.
From his Singur rally, the PM raised a slogan: “Paltano darkar, chai BJP sarkar” (There is a need for change, we want a BJP government).
Banerjee said, “In the coming days, the people of Bengal will throw you out of power in Delhi after electing the TMC for the fourth time in the state.”
“Our funds under Awas Yojana have been stopped. In the Krishnanagar organisational district and across Bengal, within the next 15 days, Mamata Banerjee’s government will provide funds to build homes for 20 lakh people. The money will be transferred directly to bank accounts,” the TMC leader said.
Alleging that the BJP wants to stop the TMC government’s ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ financial assistance scheme for women, he claimed that leaders of the saffron camp are even urging husbands to lock up wives who receive funds under that programme.
“Remember, as long as Mamata Banerjee’s government is in power, no one can stop Lakshmir Bhandar. It is they who should be locked up instead,” he said.
Accusing the Centre of misusing central agencies against opposition parties ahead of elections, Banerjee said, “They tried to steal TMC data before elections, but we have people’s support.” He was alluding to the recent ED raids at the premises of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata.
