"BJP destroyed Kashmir and Manipur through divisive politics and is now targeting Bengal": Mamata Banerjee

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• Jul 4, 2023 | Dhupali Das

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of using divisive politics to... 

Digital Desk: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of using divisive politics to "destroy" Kashmir and Manipur, and said the party is "now promoting secessionist groups" in the state.

While virtually addressing a panchayat poll rally at Dubrajpur in Birbhum district, Banerjee claimed that the BJP is inciting certain factions in the northern and southern parts of the state to divide the state for political advantage.

"Through divisive politics, the BJP has destroyed Kashmir and Manipur and is now after West Bengal. They promote and incite divisive forces and secessionist parties in North Bengal and Jangal Mahal (in the south) to partition the state. We will not allow state division and will defeat such forces," she stated.

Banerjee alleged that the BJP's policies plunged Manipur into chaos, claiming more than 100 lives in recent months.

After her injury during an emergency chopper landing near Siliguri a few days ago, Banerjee has decided to address panchayat vote rallies digitally.

The TMC chief said that the BJP government has halted funding for the state's 11.36 lakh MGNREGA beneficiaries.

"The BJP-led Centre has halted funds for the Awas Yojana and the 100-day work scheme. The funds do not belong to the BJP or the Centre; they are our cash that the union government deducts as taxes and is meant to refund to us. However, funds for Bengal have been halted," Banerjee asserted.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005 (MGNREGA) aims to improve the livelihood security of rural households by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a fiscal year.

Banerjee staged a two-day sit-in protest in March against the Centre's claimed refusal to release funding to the state for MGNREGA and other welfare initiatives.

The state's three-tier panchayat election is scheduled for July 8. In multiple regions of the state, widespread violence in the run-up to the election has killed at least ten people and injured many more.