The budget session of the Bengal Assembly, commencing on Monday, is poised for heated exchanges as the BJP prepares to use a CAG report to allege a massive scam worth Rs 2 lakh crore. Simultaneously, Trinamul is set to counter by criticizing the Centre for withholding Bengal’s rightful funds.<\/p>\n
The stage was set on Sunday with Trinamul leader Kunal Ghosh dismissing the CAG’s claim that Bengal failed to provide utilisation certificates for funds amounting to Rs 2.29 lakh crore. MP Derek O\u2019Brien raised concerns about the freeze on central funds.<\/p>\n
Ghosh refuted the CAG’s allegations, stating that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the matter. Ghosh emphasized that the CAG report covered the period from 2002-03 to 2020-21 when the Left was in power until 2010-11, and Trinamul cannot be held responsible for that period.<\/p>\n
Mamata had earlier blamed Modi and the CAG for the funds freeze, indicating that this would be Trinamul’s primary campaign focus for the upcoming general election. Trinamul strongly asserted that all utilisation certificates for central funds were submitted on time, and the issue was not raised during meetings with central officers.<\/p>\n
Trinamul’s strategy involves creating pressure on the Prime Minister to address the issue, with O\u2019Brien highlighting Mamata’s announcement to pay wage dues for 100-day job scheme workers affected by the fund stoppage.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the state BJP plans to be confrontational during the budget session, demanding the presentation and discussion of the CAG report in the Assembly. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari stated that BJP legislators would engage with the government to emphasize issues relevant to the welfare of the people.<\/p>\n
To counter Trinamul’s accusations of central deprivation, the BJP plans to accuse the state government of impeding central projects for the people’s welfare. Adhikari is set to participate in strategy meetings with Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi, aiming to address Mamata’s statements during her visit.<\/p>\n
The dynamics within the Bengal Assembly are expected to be intense as both Trinamul and the BJP gear up for a contentious budget session, each seeking to assert its narrative and priorities.<\/p>\n