Mamata Banerjee To Stage Protest

Over not getting central funds…

From Friday, 02 February 2024, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will stage a dharna to protest against the alleged withholding of the state's dues by the Centre.

The issue of the Centre holding the dues, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), has snowballed into a political controversy in the state.

"The dharna will start at 1 pm in the Red Road area. Our party supremo Mamata Banerjee will lead the protest. Other senior leaders of the party will also be present," a senior TMC leader said.

Earlier presentations by TMC's general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, along with a cohort of party legislators, MPs, ministers, and MGNREGA workers at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, followed by a five-day sit-in outside Raj Bhavan here, have underscored the gravity of the situation.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005, aims at enhancing the livelihood security of households in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year.

According to TMC sources, the dharna marks the third major agitation over the issue ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Sources said that the protest may extend to 48 hours, strategically coinciding with the commencement of the West Bengal budget session on February 5.