Abhishek targets Centre, BJP at Dantan rally, list state welfare schemes
The Statesman | 26 March 2026
Launching a blistering attack on the BJP-led Central government while projecting the Trinamul Congress’s welfare record as its principal electoral weapon, Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamul Congress national general secretary on Wednesday accused the Centre of “systematically depriving” West Bengal of funds and urged voters to deliver a decisive mandate against the BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Addressing a packed joint campaign rally at Gholai High School ground in Keshiary for Dantan and Keshiary constituencies in West Midnapore district under sweltering afternoon conditions, the Trinamul leader framed the election as both a referendum on development and a political response to what he described as sustained financial and administrative discrimination against the state.
The rally, attended by party functionaries, elected representatives, and supporters from across the two constituencies, saw repeated appeals to voters to back TMC candidates Manik Maity from Dantan and Ramjiban Mandi from Keshiary. Mr Banerjee claimed the turnout reflected public endorsement of the Mamata Banerjee government’s welfare-oriented governance model.
“The Centre has stopped funds meant for the poor, but development work has continued using the state’s own resources,” he said, alleging that payments under rural housing schemes, MGNREGA wages, and rural road projects had remained stalled for years due to Central decisions.
Placing welfare schemes at the heart of the campaign narrative, the Mr Banerjee presented constituency-wise beneficiary figures under flagship programmes such as Lakshmir Bhandar, Swasthya Sathi, Kanyashree, Khadya Sathi and Bangla Awas Yojana, claiming lakhs of residents in Dantan and Keshiary were receiving direct benefits.
He reiterated a series of electoral assurances, including continuation of financial assistance to women, universal piped drinking water coverage within five years, doorstep healthcare camps in every block, expanded old-age pensions, and housing support for families awaiting homes.
Contrasting the state government’s initiatives with the BJP’s governance at the Centre, he criticised rising fuel prices and inflation, arguing that everyday expenses had sharply increased under the Narendra Modi government.
Mr Banerjee also highlighted infrastructure projects undertaken in the region, including road construction works across Dantan, embankment strengthening along the Subarnarekha river, and the Jungle Kanya bridge connecting Keshiary with Nayagram, which he said had significantly reduced travel distance between Jhargram and Kharagpur.
He cited the establishment of educational institutions, a kisan mandi, hospital upgrades, and tribal cultural infrastructure in Keshiary, while promising new initiatives such as a proposed police station in Mohanpur block and a betel-leaf preservation centre to support local cultivators.
In one of the sharpest moments of the speech, Mr Banerjee challenged BJP representatives to publicly compare development records.
“Bring your report card and I will bring mine before the people,” he said, asserting that the BJP had failed to deliver employment promises made at the national level.
He accused the opposition party of pursuing divisive politics centred on religion instead of governance and development, while claiming the Trinamul Congress focused on social welfare and inclusive growth.
Urging voters to brave heat and long queues on polling day, he described the election as an opportunity for people to respond democratically to economic hardship and political grievances.
The rally concluded with slogans from party supporters as campaign activities intensified across West Midnapore ahead of polling, with both ruling and opposition parties expected to step up high-voltage campaigning in the coming days.