West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
Credit: PTI File Photo
The Trinamool’s top leadership is ready to take their fight against the Centre’s freeze of funds to West Bengal for public welfare schemes to New Delhi, with a visit to Raj Ghat on Gandhi Jayanti. The party still awaits Delhi Police’s permission to hold a protest in the Capital.
A press conference, addressed jointly by three senior Trinamool leaders and ministers on Saturday, informed that “despite multiple requests”, Delhi Police has not granted permission for holding a protest.
“But, Trinamool Congress will take the protest against the politics of deprivation to Delhi. On October 2, we will be going to Delhi… AITC chairperson Mamata Banerjee and national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will visit Raj Ghat in New Delhi…,” Chandrima Bhattacharya, senior Trinamool leader and minister in the state government, said.
The party has also sought an appointment on October 3, from Giriraj Singh, Union minister of rural development and panchayati raj. A delegation led by the party's chairperson intends to meet the minister for discussing dues owed under the 100-day rural job scheme, and the rural housing scheme, besides other issues.
“On October 3, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee will meet Union minister Giriraj Singh along with AITC MPs, MLAs, zilla parishad sabhadhipatis, and panchayat samiti sabhapatis to raise the demands of the people. We have sought an appointment from him today. We will carry 50 lakh letters from the people demanding an end to this fund blockade,” Bhattacharya said.
In a letter written to DCP, Darya Ganj police station, TMC MP Derek O’Brien has requested permission for the party to set up pandals, tents, and make accommodation and night stay arrangements for around 50,000 people at Ram Leela Maidan, from September 30 to October 4.
This arrangement is proposed for MGNREGA workers from Bengal who will be on dharna at different locations in Delhi. In this communication, O’Brien has also referred to his earlier letter dated August 30 and 31.
“The BJP-led central government has deprived Bengal of its rightful due amounting to Rs 1.15 lakh crore under various heads. Under the MGNREGA, Gramin Sadak Yojana, Awas Yojana, and National Social Assistance Programme, which is a pension programme for the elderly, widows, and disabled from BPL category. The Centre has blocked a total of Rs 16,010.85 crore for Bengal,” Shashi Panja, TMC leader and minister in the state government, said.
BJP Bengal leader Dilip Ghosh wrote on X: “We heard that TMC leaders will go to Delhi with lakhs of supporters, gherao BJP leaders. But even after many months of dialogue-baazi, they are unable to find the right time. When will you do it?"
In response to Ghosh’s tweet, Bhattacharya responded, “Why don't you ask your political masters in Delhi. Why, despite our meticulous adherence to all protocols, they are not permitting us for a peaceful dharna on October 2nd? They can provide you with an accurate, spineless excuse!”