TMCs Abhishek Banerjee Throws Down the Gauntlet: Publish White Paper on West Bengal Funds or Face Open Debate

In a daring move, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee demands a white paper from the Centre detailing funds released under MGNREGA and Awas Yojana for West Bengal. He invites the BJP to an open debate, vowing to leave politics if they can substantiate their claims of fund allocation in the past three years.

In a bold move, senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee has challenged the Central government to publish a white paper detailing the funds disbursed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Awas Yojana) in West Bengal. Addressing a rally in Jalpaiguri on Thursday, Banerjee asserted that he would step down from politics if the BJP-led Centre can provide concrete evidence of releasing the due funds to the state.

BJP's Advertisement Claims Challenged

Banerjee's challenge stems from recent newspaper advertisements published by the BJP, claiming to have provided funds to Bengal. In response, Banerjee took to Twitter, inviting the BJP to an open debate on the matter, provided they produce a white paper on the disbursed funds under MGNREGA and Awas Yojana. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds, particularly in light of the BJP's allegations.

Demand for Detailed Report

Banerjee insisted that the central government present a comprehensive report proving the allocation of any amount of money to West Bengal in the past three years. He questioned the sudden halt in funding after the BJP's defeat in the 2021 assembly elections, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify the reasons behind this decision. Banerjee highlighted the disparity in MGNREGA fund distribution, with all other states except Bengal receiving their respective shares.

Criticism of Modi's Guarantee

Banerjee further criticized the BJP's "Modi ki guarantee" campaign, labeling it as a hollow promise with no substance. He presented video evidence to expose the BJP's alleged lies and contrasted their empty guarantees with the TMC's commitment to fulfilling its promises. Banerjee emphasized the need for leaders who genuinely care for Bengal and remain present in the state, rather than merely visiting during election season.

MGNREGA Dues Payment

The withholding of West Bengal's MGNREGA dues by the Centre has been a contentious issue in the state's political discourse. In an effort to address this matter, the West Bengal government recently commenced the payment of dues to approximately 30 lakh MGNREGA workers, amounting to Rs 2,700 crore, which had been pending since March 2022.

Abhishek Banerjee's challenge to the Centre reflects the ongoing tussle between the TMC and the BJP over the allocation of funds to West Bengal. The demand for transparency and accountability in the disbursement of MGNREGA and Awas Yojana funds highlights the importance of ensuring equitable distribution of resources for the welfare of the state's citizens.