West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee speaks as activist Yogendra Yadav applauds during a dharna demanding the state's dues from the Centre for various social welfare schemes, in Kolkata
Credit: PTI Photo
Kolkata: Giving a surprise twist to the anti-Centre protest for holding back funds to West Bengal, for the public welfare schemes, Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee, on Saturday, announced that the state government will pay the dues to the “deprived” MGNREGA workers on February 21.
Addressing her supporters on day-II of the dharna in Kolkata, Banerjee alleged that the BJP-led government at the Centre thinks that it can starve, and deprive Bengal.
“Today, I will announce my first step. Around 21 lakh MGNREGA workers, whose wages have been kept on hold by the BJP-led central government, will receive their money in their bank accounts by February 21, and the state government will bear the cost,” Banerjee said.
Banerjee added that the awas yojana has 11 lakh names cleared, but the names have not been provided, yet. “I will speak again at the right time on this. Keep the trust.…,” she said. The leader reiterated that she will not allow the “NRC”, or “CAA” to get executed (in the state).
She raised the “Khela Hobe!” slogan, and added that if the states, organisations, regional and national parties move ahead in a similar way, then it’s going to hit the BJP’s assumption of continuing. The leader stated that despite her meeting the prime minister, the funds have not been released.
Trinamool leader Kirti Azad, who also attended the dharna, alleged that a political programme – the inauguration of the new Parliament building, appeared religious, whereas the inauguration of the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya appeared as political.
Activist Yogendra Yadav, speaking at the dharna site, said that he was attending the agitation on behalf of people’s programmes that are in place, elsewhere, across the country. Banerjee’s fight is not for Bengal alone, but for the country, and to save the Constitution, Yadav recalled having told Banerjee, earlier.
Yadav claimed that the Centre was (attempting to) run the government from the “backdoor”, with the state governor trying to run a “parallel” government. He requested the people and organisations, and leaders to leave aside their small differences and come forward for a big fight.