People will respond to what happened in Nandigram: Mamata

Recalling the history of Medinipur from the days of India’s Independence movement, Banerjee said, “Once your people fought against the British and defeated them. You will defeat a traitor this time.”

In the Assembly elections, Banerjee lost from Nandigram to Adhikari by a margin of 1,956 votes. A case was filed in the Calcutta High Court against the election results from the constituency. The matter is still pending in the court.

Sharpening her attack against the BJP-led government at the Centre, the CM dismissed allegations over the misuse of central funds levelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that the state’s funding has been halted by the Centre, while demanding an apology to people for the “misleading” remark. She countered PM Modi’s claim made during his recent trip to Bengal regarding the allocation of Rs 47,000 crore to the state for a housing scheme, stating that between the financial years 2014-15 and 2021-22, the Centre had provided only Rs 29,834 crore, while the state government had contributed Rs 20,000 crore on the same.

“Our PM said he has given Rs 47,000 crore to Bengal and alleged that we have ‘consumed’ all of it instead of providing services. I am clarifying the calculations now. If anyone has any doubts regarding the calculations, challenge them. There are some schemes for which the Centre provides funds to the state, using the money they collect from us through taxes. From 2014-15 to 2021-22, they (Centre) have given us Rs 29,834 crore,” she said.

The CM said the Centre under the Awas Yojana scheme has given Rs 29, 834 crore while the state government has contributed Rs 20,000 crore. “From 2021-22 to 2023-24, they have not released even a penny.

—with PTI inputs