Mamata Banerjee's Punjab visit amid work dues clearance

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to depart for Punjab on February 21, marking 100 days since addressing outstanding work dues. Banerjee, after paying respects at the Golden Temple, will hold discussions with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The visit is emblematic of the Trinamool government's consistent stance against perceived central neglect, particularly regarding long-pending 100-day work dues, which Banerjee had previously pledged to clear during a protest event.

The allocation of Rs 3700 crore in the state budget will facilitate the clearance of worker dues, reaffirming Banerjee's commitment to addressing labor grievances. Notably, Banerjee's announcement of contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections independently in West Bengal, despite the potential for an India alliance at the national level, mirrors a similar stance taken by the AAP government in Punjab. The anticipated meeting between Banerjee and Mann is poised to delve into political strategies, including the intensification of farmers' movements on Delhi-Punjab borders and the alignment of Trinamool and Aam Aadmi Party objectives within the larger political landscape.