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Journalism of Courage
A day before Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to start his two-day tour of West Bengal, TMC MP from Krishnanagar Thursday hit out at the senior BJP leader over the Centre withholding state’s share of MGNREGA funds. Speaking during a press conference in Kolkata along with TMC MLA Parth Bhowmick, Moitra said, “How can you have a corrupt Leader of Opposition in Bengal while repeatedly claiming that the BJP does not endorse corruption? PM Narendra Modi has said that he runs a corruption-free government and anybody with the slightest stain of corruption will have no place in the party. But on the other hand, Leader of Opposition in Bengal from BJP – Suvendu Adhikari – is an accused in an ongoing CBI investigation.”
Moitra went on to target Shah over the delay in Rs 7,500 crore in MGNREGA payments to the state, Moitra said, “When you come here as a leader of the BJP which is governing at the Centre, you have to answer why our workers haven’t been paid despite working under the 100 Days Work Scheme? MGNREGS was set up with one idea – that the poorest of the poor have at least 100 days of guaranteed employment…Since December 2021, West Bengal has been denied Rs 7,500 crore in MGNREGS payments. Out of this, Rs 2,800 crores relates to only wage payments. But it has been kept in abeyance and 17 lakh families have been suffering for over a year.”
Hitting out at the BJP for not taking action against Sumit Shaw, an accused in the recent Ram Navami clashes reported in Howrah, after his photos with BJP leaders surfaced, the TMC MP said, “Days after claiming to hang rioters upside down in Bihar, what action has the Home Minister taken against Howrah riot-accused Sumit Shaw and the BJP leaders seen with him in many photos? Bengal doesn’t know or want this atmosphere of panic, hate, or bigotry ahead of religious festivals. Be it Durga Puja, Muharram, or Eid, people observe their own festivals in peace. On March 27, BJP leaders went to Delhi to meet the Home Minister. Two days later, on March 29, BJP leaders said in Shyambazar that everyone should keep their eyes on the TV screen the next day. On March 30, violence began in Howrah in the name of Ram Navami processions. Sumit Shaw (19), was picked up from Munger in Bihar, and was seen brandishing a gun atop a vehicle in Howrah during the Ram Navami procession. Several pictures have emerged showing Sumit Shaw with local BJP leaders. His mother has also said that her son was in touch with BJP leaders.”
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