Sitalkuchi (WB), April 1 Criticizing the Union government over the increase in commercial LPG prices, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee claimed that while the Mamata Banerjee administration was providing relief to people, the Narendra Modi-led Centre was "taking from them."
Addressing an election rally in the town near the Bangladesh border, the TMC MP alleged that rising prices of vegetables and essential goods had put people under severe hardship.
"While Modi is taking from the people, Mamata Banerjee is giving," Banerjee said.
Commercial LPG rates were raised by Rs 195.50 per cylinder, mirroring the surge in global oil prices linked to the widening West Asia conflict.
He claimed that despite the Centre not releasing funds for implementing various central welfare schemes, the Mamata Banerjee dispensation was using its own resources to provide support for housing, job-guarantee programmes, roads, and water supply projects.
"The BJP MLAs who won from several constituencies in north Bengal in 2021 did nothing for the local people," he alleged.
The opposition in this region will not be seen even with binoculars after the Assembly polls, he added.
"I hear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will come to Cooch Behar on April 5. I challenge him to release a white paper detailing whether even one person from the district received funds under the Centre's Awas Yojana," he said.
The TMC leader asserted he will leave the political arena if Modi produces a white paper stating that they gave even ten paise to any beneficiary under the 100-day job guarantee scheme.
"If they can prove they (Centre) have given ten paise under Gram Sadak Yojana in Cooch Behar, then I will stop campaigning for the TMC in the election," Banerjee said.
He asserted that a Mamata Banerjee government in its fourth term will ensure that women continue to get life-long financial benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
"What have the BJP MLAs in Cooch Behar district done for the people?" he asked, stating that the people were not deprived despite poor election results for the TMC in the district.
Banerjee highlighted promises in the TMC manifesto for the 2026 elections, including piped water connections to every household in the state, setting up health camps at the block level, and providing old-age pensions to all residents above 60 years, regardless of Centre funding.
"After the TMC forms the government for the fourth term, it will set up health camps at every block level to bring medical facilities to the doorstep of people," he said.
The TMC leader said they will also provide old-age pension to all the residents of the state who attain the age of 60 years.
He urged the people of Sitalkuchi not to vote for the BJP, claiming that several people were killed in firing by central forces on polling day in 2021.
CISF personnel had reportedly resorted to firing after repeated attempts to pacify some protesters failed.