Even after 10 years, if I die, my statue should never be built: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday took a dig at the BJP-led central government over pending dues and naming of schemes. Speaking on the sidelines of an event, Mamata emphasized her preference for a people-centric legacy over one marked by statues or memorials. "Even if I die after 10 years, my statue should never be built," she said, reiterating her focus on serving the people rather than building a cult of personality.

Highlighting her approach to governance, Mamata stated that she refrains from naming government schemes after herself. “I do not do any scheme in the name of the Chief Minister,” she said, contrasting her policies with those of the central government. She criticized the practice of naming even toilets after the Prime Minister, taking a swipe at the Union government.

The Chief Minister also raised questions about the prospects of youth enrolled in the Agniveer scheme, a central government initiative. She remarked, “What is the future of Agniveer? If there is any such scheme in Bengal, I am closing it from today.” Her comments reflect ongoing concerns about job security and the long-term viability of the initiative.

Mamata accused the central government of financial neglect toward Bengal. She alleged that despite collecting GST revenue from the state, the Centre does not allocate funds to Bengal appropriately. “The central government is taking away GST from the state but does not give anything to Bengal,” she claimed.