Abhishek Banerjee Attacks BJP, Vows ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ Continuity Ahead of Bengal Polls
Kolkata, April 21: Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of failing to deliver on key promises, while asserting that West Bengal’s flagship welfare scheme Lakshmir Bhandar will continue uninterrupted.
Welfare Scheme at the Centre of Political Messaging
Addressing a rally in Barjora, Bankura district, Banerjee reiterated that women beneficiaries would continue receiving financial assistance under Lakshmir Bhandar for life. The scheme currently provides ₹1,000 per month to women from the general category and ₹1,200 to those from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
He emphasized that no political change would disrupt the scheme, projecting it as a long-term social security measure aimed at supporting women across the state.
Criticism of BJP’s Past Promises
The TMC leader accused the BJP of making unfulfilled commitments at the national level. He cited promises such as ₹15 lakh in every bank account and the creation of two crore jobs annually, claiming that these assurances were never realised.
Banerjee questioned the credibility of the BJP in delivering welfare schemes, stating that a party unable to meet basic commitments cannot be trusted with social security programmes.
Challenge to BJP-Ruled States
In a direct political challenge, Banerjee said that if any BJP-ruled state could implement a scheme similar to Lakshmir Bhandar for all women without discrimination, he would stop campaigning for votes.
He contrasted what he described as the “Modi guarantee” with the assurances provided by Mamata Banerjee, calling the latter a “lifetime assurance” for beneficiaries in the state.
Development Claims and Centre-State Tensions
Highlighting local development, Banerjee said rural roads worth ₹80 crore had been built in the constituency over the past three years without central assistance. He promised to double the investment to ₹160 crore over the next five years.
He also accused the central government of failing to control inflation and alleged that funds meant for rural development were being withheld. Additionally, he raised concerns about people from Bengal being labelled as “outsiders” or “Bangladeshis” in other states.
Election Context and Political Stakes
The remarks come ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29 for all 294 seats. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.
The election is expected to witness a high-voltage contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP, with welfare schemes and governance performance emerging as key issues.
Abhishek Banerjee’s remarks underline the central role of welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar in West Bengal’s political narrative. As campaigning intensifies, the debate between delivery of promises and governance records is likely to dominate voter discourse in the run-up to polling.
Our Final Thoughts
The political messaging around Lakshmir Bhandar highlights how welfare schemes have become a decisive factor in state elections. Abhishek Banerjee’s strong defence of the scheme signals the Trinamool Congress’s strategy to consolidate its support base among women voters. At the same time, his criticism of the BJP reflects the broader national versus regional governance debate. With elections approaching, the focus is likely to remain on delivery, credibility, and economic concerns such as inflation and employment. Ultimately, voter perception of both welfare benefits and governance performance will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the polls.