By A Staff Reporter
Delhi | Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sushmita Dev launched a sharp attack on the central government, accusing it of deliberately withholding funds meant for West Bengal under various schemes. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, she stated that despite a thorough investigation by a delegation of 150 officers, no evidence of corruption was found, yet the funds remain blocked.
"We have listened to the finance minister's reply very patiently. The sad thing is that whenever the issue of Bengal's money is raised, the finance minister says that there is no compliance. But I want to give you a fact—a delegation of about 150 officers went to Bengal and investigated on the ground. To date, they have not found any kind of corruption," Dev said.
She alleged that after facing defeat in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, the BJP-led central government started withholding funds as a political move. "On some pretext or the other, Bengal’s money was stopped. But Mamata Didi’s strength is that she has strengthened Bengal’s economy. She has given houses to everyone by expanding the housing scheme in Bengal," she added.
Warning of political repercussions, Dev asserted that the more the central government deprives Bengal of its rightful dues, the harsher the consequences will be in the 2026 Assembly elections. "The more Didi and Bengal are deprived by the PM Modi government, the worse their result will be in the 2026 elections in Bengal," she said.
In protest, TMC MPs staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha, expressing their dissatisfaction with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s response. "The Finance Minister herself knows what she has done," Dev remarked before exiting the House.
/anm-english/media/agency_attachments/AtBG5e3MoE629QYzhZen.png)
/anm-english/media/media_files/2025/02/13/5mCc5qkxnJWV3Z09wyn0.jpg)