Accusing the BJP-led NDA government of “constantly depriving” West Bengal, the chief minister said: “This is a politically-biased budget. The Centre announced economic packages… I don’t have any problem with allocating funds for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. But no one cannot discriminate against anyone, while providing for another. The law cannot be discriminatory. They have constantly deprived Bengal. Bengal is not a small state.”

Without naming anyone, the TMC chief criticised the NDA allies for allegedly “sacrificing” ministerial positions for financial gains.

“I have never seen such a government that is giving out financial aid and not giving ministerial berths (to allies) or the post of Speaker. I don’t blame the government; why did they (NDA allies) accept it?” she said.

“Our state has faced cyclones like Amphan. The poor have been deprived. Many natural disasters occur in Bengal as it is a riverine state. The flood management funds have been given to neighbouring states but not Bengal. What crime has Bengal done,” she asked.

On financial grant to neighbouring Sikkim hit by recent landslides, the TMC chief slammed the BJP, which won from the hill constituency of Darjeeling. “They (BJP) seek votes from Darjeeling but after winning, they forget Darjeeling,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister also said there was no mention of clearing West Bengal government’s pending funds under the MGNREGA scheme.

“The Centre owes Rs 1,71,000 crore as dues to Bengal. But they have not given us a paisa. The people of Bengal will rise against this deprivation. We are not weak,” she added.

She also called the Budget “directionless”, “anti-people”, and “anti-poor” with nothing on “tackling rising inflation and growing unemployment” in the country.

“Inflation is rising. There is no talk on employment generation. I don’t see any light in the budget. Only darkness… The inflation is more than 9 per cent. They have not paid attention to it. This is why the prices of daily commodities have increased… There is nothing on the employment scheme. Rural job scheme… They have come up with this Budget only to satisfy one party’s vested interests,” said the chief minister.

Her party, the TMC, dubbed the budget a “complete failure” and an attempt to “bribe its coalition partners to buy time”.

“This Budget is a complete failure with zero warranty, presented by a failed Finance Minister of a failed government. Instead of tackling urgent issues like unemployment, rising prices and growing inflation, the BJP has crafted a budget to bribe its coalition partners and buy time before the government implodes,” TMC MP and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee posted on X.

Speaking to mediapersons outside Parliament in New Delhi, Abhishek added, “You have seen how Bengal has been constantly deprived by this BJP govt. Has there been a positive outcome of the 12 BJP MPs elected from Bengal? No! The net result is zero because Bengal has been constantly tortured and deprived.”

“(BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Assembly) Suvendu Adhikari said a few days ago ‘Jo humare saath, hum unke saath’. This has been proven today. Just to save the government, it has allocated special packages to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. We don’t have any problem with any state getting allocation. But why would Bengal be deprived,” he added.

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