Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee Monday hailed the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the central government’s plea challenging the Calcutta High Court’s order to resume MGNREGA in Bengal as a “historic victory” for the people of Bengal.
“Today’s verdict is a democratic slap on the face of those who believed Bengal could be bullied, coerced, or silenced,” he said in a post on his WhatsApp channel.
Mr Banerjee slammed the BJP’s attempt to impose an economic blockade on Bengal, stating: “When they failed to defeat us politically, BJP weaponised deprivation. They imposed an economic blockade on Bengal, snatching away the wages of the poor and punishing the people for standing by Maa, Mati, Manush.”
He emphasised that the people of Bengal will not be silenced and will continue to fight for their rights.
“BJP’s arrogance has met its reckoning. They seek power without accountability. They take from Bengal, yet refuse to return her dues. But now, they’ve been defeated in people’s vote, and in the Supreme Court,” he said.
The verdict is seen as a significant setback for the BJP’s attempts to undermine the state’s interests.
Banerjee reiterated his party’s commitment to fighting for the rights of the people, saying: “We promised to fight for every rightful rupee, every honest worker, every silenced voice.”
The Supreme Court’s verdict is a testament to the TMC’s efforts to stand up to injustice and fight for the rights of the people, he said.
The landmark judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta High Court’s 18 June order directing the Centre to release MGNREGA funds to West Bengal, rejecting the Centre’s plea outright.
This victory follows Trinamul Congress’ constant perusal for central funds, from the streets of Kolkata to Delhi. In 2023, TMC leaders, led by Abhishek Banerjee, staged a dharna in the national capital demanding the release of pending central funds. The Delhi Police had detained several protesting TMC leaders, including Members of Parliament.
The verdict is a strong rebuke to the Bangla-Birodhi BJP-led NDA government, which withheld Bengal’s rightful dues out of political vendetta after their political defeat in the state, said TMC leaders. They added that this verdict not only restores justice and dignity to Bengal’s workers but also exposes the Centre’s hypocrisy and hostility toward Bengal and its citizens. The leaders took to social media and highlighted the deprivation of the state.