Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the BJP of attempting to mislead women voters and warned them against sharing bank details, alleging it could lead to financial fraud.Addressing a public rally, Banerjee claimed that BJP workers may approach households posing as representatives of the West Bengal or Trinamool Congress (TMC) government and ask for bank account details under the pretext of providing financial benefits.“Mothers and sisters, stay alert, the BJP people will come to your homes in the name of the West Bengal government, in the name of the TMC government, and ask for your bank account number, saying they’ll give you money. Don’t give them your account number, even by mistake; they’ll take away the money from your Lakshmi Bhandar. This is their trick,” she said.
She has repeatedly highlighted the state government’s Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, claiming it has benefited women, and cautioning voters against BJP promises. She earlier said, “Women have benefited. BJP will give some money before the polls, but close it after.” The scheme was rolled out in 2021 to provide financial assistance to women from economically weaker sections of society. Under the scheme women of age between 25 to 60 years are provided Rs 1,200 every month to women SC/ST households and Rs 1,000 per month to other beneficiaries are provided.The chief minister also criticised the Congress, alleging a lack of coordination on electoral issues.“We had told the Congress several times that we should go to the Election Commission together to protest, but you didn’t go. Today, you’ll field candidates and win elections, but you won’t stand with the people in their difficult times,” she said.Banerjee further alleged that large sums of money is being circulated during elections, urging voters to remain vigilant.Earlier, the CM in an election rally in Purulia, had alleged that if BJP would interfere with Bengal’s food culture, including consumption of fish and meat, if voted to power.Addressing the gathering, she had said, “BJP says can’t eat fish, meat, eggs; they don’t believe in any religion; they resort to riots; Adivasis are exploited, women attacked in BJP-ruled states.”Her remarks align with the TMC’s campaign narrative portraying the BJP as disconnected from Bengal’s cultural practices.
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Escalating her criticism, Banerjee also targeted the BJP leadership, referring to Union home minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks. “A big BJP leader has unleashed his ‘chargesheet’ against TMC; a ‘chargesheet’ should be filed against them. There were so many riots in Gujarat,” she said.
