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Key Points

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has strongly criticized Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his recent comments about West Bengal's future government. Banerjee challenged Shah to explain the delay in releasing Central funds and highlighted the inconsistency in Shah's statements about Durga Puja celebrations. The exchange comes amid preparations for next year's crucial Assembly elections, with BJP announcing Bhupender Yadav as their campaign in-charge. The political battle between Trinamool Congress and BJP continues to intensify in West Bengal.

Key Points: Abhishek Banerjee Blasts Amit Shah Over Bengal Poll Remark

  • Banerjee demands release of Rs 2,00,000 crore Central funds
  • Criticizes Shah's changing stance on Durga Puja celebrations
  • BJP announces Bhupender Yadav as Bengal poll campaign in-charge
  • RSS leadership meets state BJP for election strategy
3 min read

Abhishek Banerjee slams HM Amit Shah over his 'better govt in Bengal after 2026 polls' remark

TMC leader challenges Amit Shah's comments on West Bengal's future government and cultural heritage, demanding central fund release

"They are anti-Bengal and anti-Bengali - Abhishek Banerjee"

Kolkata, Sep 26

Trinamool Congress general secretary and party's Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee on Friday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the latter's comments about a better government in West Bengal after the Assembly elections in the state next year.

"I prayed to Maa Durga so that after the Assembly elections next year, the people of West Bengal get such a government which would lead the state towards prosperity. Let peace return in West Bengal. Let us create Bengal in the way imagined by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore," the Home Minister said at the inauguration of the community Durga Puja pandal of Santosh Mitra Square in central Kolkata earlier in the day.

Reacting to this comment later on Friday, Banerjee said: "HM Amit Shah should first answer when the Rs 2,00,000 crore of Central funds would be released. In reality, they are anti-Bengal and anti-Bengali, and our struggle against these anti-Bengal and anti-Bengali stances would continue."

Ridiculing HM Amit Shah over his comments earlier in the day, where he described Durga Puja in West Bengal as a globally acclaimed occasion now, Abhishek Banerjee said that before saying this, the Union Home Minister should withdraw and apologize for his earlier comments that Durga Puja was not celebrated in West Bengal.

"Today, he is inaugurating a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata. He said five years ago, there were no Durga Pujas in Bengal. Today, Bengal's Durga Puja has been recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage site. No festival from BJP-ruled states has received such recognition," Banerjee said.

Earlier, on Thursday, BJP national president J.P. Nadda announced the name of Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav as the in-charge of the party's campaign for the crucial West Bengal Assembly polls scheduled next year.

At the same time, the name of the party Lok Sabha member and the former Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, has been announced as Yadav's deputy. A notification, on this count, was issued by the party's central leadership on Thursday afternoon.

Insiders from the party's state committee in West Bengal said that both Yadav and Deb would shortly in the coming days hold a meeting with the top state party leader to prepare an initial campaign blueprint for the party.

Earlier this month, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leadership had a "coordination meeting" with state BJP leadership in Kolkata, with the focus of discussion being the state assembly elections next year.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Both sides playing politics during Durga Puja season. Instead of making Bengal a political battleground, they should focus on actual development work. The common people just want peace and prosperity.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has attended Kolkata's Durga Puja, I must say it's truly spectacular. UNESCO recognition is well-deserved. It's unfortunate that even cultural events are getting politicized.
A
Arjun K
The 2 lakh crore fund issue needs proper clarification from the Centre. Bengal deserves its fair share regardless of which party is in power. Development should be above politics. 🇮🇳
M
Michael C
Interesting to see how BJP is strategically positioning their leaders for Bengal elections. The appointment of Bhupender Yadav shows they're serious about making inroads in the state.
K
Kavya N
While political debates are important, let's not forget the essence of Durga Puja - it's about celebration and community bonding. Hope the festival spirit isn't lost in all this political drama. 🎉
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, both TMC and BJP need to tone down the rhetoric. Constant confrontation isn't helping Bengal's image or its people. Governance should be about cooperation, not constant conflict.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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