The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): On Thursday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for what she described as the industrial and societal decline of West Bengal. Speaking in Kolkata, she alleged that corruption and mismanagement under the TMC have worsened the state’s condition compared to the previous Left regime.
Sitharaman pointed out that until 2010, during the Left rule, West Bengal experienced positive net migration of laborers, indicating better conditions. She claimed that the TMC’s slogan “Maa, Mati, Manush” (Mother, Motherland, People) has become a mockery as all three have been defamed under their governance.
The finance minister highlighted that West Bengal’s monthly per capita expenditure in both rural and urban areas is among the lowest in the country, ranking sixth and eighth from the bottom, respectively. She attributed this to industrial flight and a lack of job creation, asserting that extortion and corruption have driven businesses away.
Sitharaman specifically mentioned that the state lost an opportunity to set up a chip manufacturing plant to Assam, which has a BJP-led government. She called on the people of Bengal to restore the state’s manufacturing glory, noting that the sector’s contribution has plummeted from 24 percent in 1947 to less than 3 percent now.
The finance minister also condemned the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government for allegedly depriving common people and pointed to a financial misappropriation of Rs 2 lakh crore reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in 2021 related to a school jobs scam.
Regarding allegations of sexual assault and land grab in Sandeshkhali, Sitharaman accused the TMC of protecting the main accused, Shajahan Sheikh, for 55 days before his arrest. She lamented instances of victim-shaming in Bengal, referencing the Park Street rape case of 2012 and a 2022 case involving a 14-year-old girl.
Sitharaman also highlighted achievements of the BJP government, such as establishing an AIIMS hospital in Kalyani, providing LPG connections under the Awas Yojana, ensuring potable water supply, and improving road infrastructure. She urged the people of Bengal to strive to regain the state’s past glory.
Additionally, Sitharaman criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for not acting against an AAP leader accused of assaulting Swati Maliwal, a Rajya Sabha member from the party, accusing Kejriwal of associating with the accused.