Why only before polls? Mamata asks PM Modi to visit Bengal every day

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at a rally in Bardhaman on Tuesday afternoon, alleged that the Centre had withheld funds for the 100-day rural employment guarantee scheme, the tap water project, and the housing scheme. She said the state government had continued these programmes using its own treasury. According to her, 75 lakh houses have already been completed, and she directed all district magistrates to compile lists of households still living in mud houses to ensure their reconstruction.

Banerjee highlighted Bardhaman’s role in agriculture, stating that the district had secured the first position in paddy production in India. She said 78 lakh people had been issued job cards under the Karma Shree initiative. Referring to Durga Puja preparations, she mentioned writing songs for several pandals, including one themed on mustard flowers.

On the language issue, Banerjee said that people from Bengal were being taken to other states for work, where they faced atrocities. She referred to the death of an injured man from Barasat who had allegedly suffered such treatment in another state, calling it painful. She said, “I have never committed atrocities against any outside worker.” She further announced that the Bengal government would provide ₹5,000 per month to returning workers and link them to welfare schemes, assuring that no worker would face difficulties while she was in office.

Banerjee also targeted the BJP, accusing the governments in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar of corruption. She questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks labelling Bengal as corrupt and asked why he visited the state only before elections. She said she would raise the matter with the Election Commission to prevent “BJP’s lollipop politics” from influencing polls. On the issue of language similarity with Bangladesh, she stated, “If the language of Bangladesh and Bengal is the same, what is my fault? I respect all languages.”