Mamata backs ex-minister in Habra, calls him key architect of ration reforms
The Statesman | 8 April 2026
Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee campaigned in Habra in North 24-Parganas in support of party candidate Jyotipriya Mallick on Tuesday, openly reaffirming her faith in the former minister despite his past arrest in the ration corruption case.
Addressing a public rally, Banerjee acknowledged that the party’s decision to field Mallick again was rooted in “trust”, and credited him for major reforms in the state’s public distribution system.
“You should know, in my government, the kind of work Balu has done, no one else has been able to do,” Banerjee said, referring to Mallick by his popular nickname.
She highlighted his role in introducing digital ration cards and tightening mechanisms to prevent pilferage, asserting that the transformation of the food department was largely driven by him.
The Chief Minister alleged that Mallick’s arrest by Central agencies was politically motivated and driven by jealousy over his administrative success.
“He was arrested out of jealousy for his work. There is no evidence behind the allegations,” she claimed.
Rejecting corruption charges linked to the ration distribution system, Banerjee said that the alleged irregularities had happened during the Left Front era.
Balu had exposed around 1.5 lakh “false” ration cards dating back to the CPI-M regime, which, according to her, led to his targeting,” she alleged.
“He had caught the fake ration cards from the CPI-M period. That is why he has been framed in false cases,” Banerjee said, urging voters to respond politically.
Continuing her tirade on the Opposition, Banerjee said, “Congress, BJP, CPI-M ~ all are the same,” she said, alleging a covert alliance among them to conspire against the Trinamul Congress in the state.
Mallick, a former food minister with the West Bengal government, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on 27 October, 2023, in connection with the ration corruption case.
The Trinamul chairperson at her Bongaon also urged the voters to take political revenge in a democratic way against the BJP’s dirty politics so that they don’t dare to delete their names. Remember, they made you stand in queues and humiliated you.
Cautioning the BJP, Miss Banerjee said: “Those who are trying to create a divide within the Thakur Bari should remember that we know who all are involved in cases related to Anil Ambani. Just because you are in the BJP, the ED and CBI do not raid you. The agencies are used against the TMC who are innocent. I will tear off your mask. I have all the documents. I know from whom you have taken money. The person who is in jail has said that the money packets are made for you,” she maintained.
She said countless legitimate voters have been deleted in Bagda, Bongaon and Gaighata. “I came to Bongaon town when voters were being deleted. I had gone to the Supreme Court to fight against this. Don’t trust the BJP. They are like poisonous snakes.”