Mamata Banerjee warns of bigger protest movement if Center doesn't release funds

On Thursday, Mamata Banerjee issued a warning, stating that goddess Durga would shield Bengal from the "conspiracy to starve" the state, and that the Trinamul Congress will intensify its movement to force the Narendra Modi administration to deliver cash owed to Bengal under several central projects.

Funds for the 100-day employment guarantee program (MGNREGS) and the Awas Yojana have been denied by the Center. The chief minister announced, virtually from her home in the evening, the launch of multiple Durga Puja pandals throughout the state. "They have also stopped funding for the Gram Sadak Yojana."

Mamata hadn't been in the public eye since her September 24 visit to the SSKM Hospital for a check-up. On medical instruction, she had been restricted to her home ever since.

Bengal, according to Trinamul, has central dues exceeding Rs 1.15 lakh crore, of which about Rs 15,000 crore are solely related to the MGNREGS and the Awas Yojana.

According to the MGNREGS, they must pay the outstanding debts. Three days after persuading her nephew Abhishek Banerjee to put a stop to an ongoing campaign for similar demands till October 31, the chairperson of the Trinamul Congress warned that "if they don't give the money for the MGNREGS, the protest movement will reach a bigger level."

Mamata said, "Ma Durga will shield us from this plot to starve Bengal."

While the party's agitation for the delivery of funds due to Bengal was suspended till October 31, Trinamul national general secretary Abhishek had warned a more extensive and intense movement spearheaded by the chief minister.

Speaking about her health, Mamata said she wouldn't be able to leave till October 27, when the Puja festival was scheduled to take place on Red Road.

“Aside from that, I'm fine. My leg has become infected. I've been receiving shots intravenously. Mamata added, "I can't walk very well yet, and the doctors have asked me not to walk normally for some more time." On September 24, a group of senior physicians at the SSKM informed Mamata that she had strained her left knee during the 12-day tour of Spain and the United Arab Emirates earlier in the month.

The doctors urged her to rest at home, so she had to miss her party's earlier this month protest events in Delhi and Calcutta.

Mamata, who presided over the state cabinet meeting at her home earlier in the day for the first time in her twelve years as chief minister, stated, "I will see you all on October 27, at the carnival."