Kolkata, 14 March (H.S.): Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mega rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Saturday, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) raised five key questions, accusing the Centre of withholding funds due to West Bengal and seeking answers on several policy issues.

The rally marked the culmination of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) “Parivartan Yatra” ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.

In a message posted on social media platform X, the Trinamool Congress described the Prime Minister as a “political tourist” and sought clarification on a range of issues concerning the state.

The first question related to the electoral roll. The TMC claimed that around six million voters categorised under “logical discrepancies” had been referred for judicial scrutiny. The party questioned what action had been taken to identify illegal infiltrators despite such large-scale verification exercises.

The second issue raised concerned the price of cooking gas and alleged supply concerns. The party claimed that rising prices had created difficulties for economically weaker families and also questioned why no strategic reserves had been created despite global uncertainties.

The third question pertained to alleged pending dues to West Bengal under various centrally sponsored schemes. The TMC claimed that approximately ₹1.96 lakh crore meant for the state had been withheld.

The party also raised the issue of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), questioning why the programme had not been fully operational in the state despite directions from the Supreme Court.

The fourth issue concerned the safety of Bengali migrant workers employed in other states. The TMC alleged that Bengali-speaking workers were being harassed in some BJP-ruled states and sought the Centre’s response on their protection.

The fifth and final question related to alleged remarks by BJP leaders about prominent cultural and spiritual figures from Bengal. The TMC accused BJP leaders of making disrespectful comments about noted personalities from the state.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress also intensified its campaign by putting up posters across several parts of Kolkata from Friday night, demanding the release of pending central funds for the state.

The political exchanges come amid intensifying campaigning by major parties ahead of the Assembly elections, with both the BJP and the TMC stepping up their attacks on each other.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh