Mamata Banerjee Seeks Release of Rural Development Funds in Meeting with PM Modi
Bengal CM and MPs to Focus on Dues for 100-Day Job Scheme, Roads, and Housing for Poor
Mamata Banerjee Pushes Rural Development Agenda in Modi Meet, Seeking Urgent Fund Release
In a politically charged meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a delegation of Trinamul Congress MPs pressed the issue of releasing stalled central funds for crucial rural development schemes.
With Lok Sabha elections looming on the horizon, the delegation's focus remained laser-sharp on Rs 15,000 crore in pending dues for three key initiatives: the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) for rural roads, and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for rural housing.
While Bengal reportedly faces a massive Rs 1 lakh crore shortfall in central allocations across various schemes, sources indicated a strategic decision to prioritize the immediate release of funds directly impacting the daily lives of villagers.
"The stress this time will be on three rural development schemes. This will give an upper hand to Trinamul ahead of the Lok Sabha polls," revealed a senior government official, highlighting the political undercurrent driving the focused demand.
This strategic shift echoes Abhishek Banerjee's earlier successful agitation demanding fund release, which reportedly rattled the BJP and forced central ministers like Giriraj Singh to respond publicly.
The Trinamul Congress believes renewed pressure on this issue can galvanize rural voters ahead of the crucial elections. As one MLA from Birbhum district stated, "Placing the demand for the release of rural development funds appears to be the first step towards renewing the agitation."
Despite a temporary pause in protests after Durga Puja, the party appears poised to reignite the issue, potentially putting the BJP on the defensive once again.
Mamata Banerjee's meeting with Modi marks a bold step in pushing the rural development agenda and securing urgently needed funds for West Bengal. Whether this translates into political advantage in the upcoming elections remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the battle for rural hearts and minds has just intensified.
