https://www.deccanherald.com/india/west-bengal/watch-tmc-strongmen-aides-hold-hands-and-feet-of-woman-beat-her-mercilessly-in-west-bengal-3098067

So WB has finally come UP!

TMC doesn't have an image crisis. This is the image. Changing it would have caused crisis.

Here is something to chew on

https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/supreme-court-quashes-decision-of-bengal-authorities-to-cancel-contract-terms-it-classic-case-of-arbitrariness/cid/2032566

Just want to know from both BJP and TMC:

1. Why were utilization certificates not given? And how did funds continue for nearly a decade despite UCs not being sent?

2. Why doesn't CAG have access to a large swathe of dole schemes that were inspired directly by the CM? What was the Centre doing all these years? And what is it even doing now?

3. Why didn't Bengal govt go to the SC/HC for the allegedly illegal and unconstitutional stoppage of funds by Centre. Rajasthan did it. Kerala also got a degree of reprieve. The urgency and intensity with which Bengal fights for Nephew, Edu scam, Shk Shahjahan et al, why is that missing in this case? Why is the Centre tiptoeing around but not going for the kill?

One can go on. But no answers will come through. Because the "setting" has been on for a very long time. Right from the start. To TMC's credit, it has outclassed BJP everytime.

Let’s dive into some facts.

First off, while the Centre and states often clash over funds, it’s important to see the whole picture. Despite claims about withheld money, Bengal has received a lot. For example, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Bengal got over 8,000 crores for affordable housing.

When it comes to the 100 days work scheme (MGNREGA), Bengal has been one of the top recipients, getting more than 10,000 crores in FY 2022-23. The real question is how well these funds are being used within the state.

Now, Bengal being the 6th largest GSDP producer isn’t just because of resistance; it’s also due to major central investments in infrastructure and development. Projects like the East-West Metro Corridor in Kolkata and highway developments are boosting the state’s economy.

Plus, the Centre has backed Bengal in education and health with schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Instead of only blaming the Centre, it’s worth looking at how the state manages and uses these funds. Effective fund utilization and good governance are key to making Bengal thrive.

On the specific issue of withheld funds, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained in a press statement that the Centre held back money because Bengal didn’t submit the required utilization certificates and audits properly. She highlighted the need for accountability and transparency to ensure the funds are spent correctly and benefit the people. This is a standard process for all states to maintain financial discipline and make sure taxpayer money is used properly.

And let’s not forget, TMC blaming the BJP for Bengal’s woes is a bit rich. After all, Bengal’s industrial decline started long before the BJP came into the picture. Remember the decades of strikes, militant trade unionism, and policies that scared away investors? Those weren’t exactly BJP’s doing. The once-thriving industrial hub of Bengal has been in decline for many decades, thanks to local political choices. But sure, let’s pin all the misfortunes on the central government while conveniently forgetting the long history of economic mismanagement and missed opportunities. If Bengal is still the 6th largest GSDP producing state despite all this, imagine where it could be with a little less finger-pointing and a bit more effective governance! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Let there be a government in the centre that is not trying to seize power in Bengal by withholding the funds due to them including 100 days work, affordable housing project etc. You will find that Bengal will keep doing fine. If it is still the 6th largest GSDP producing state despite all the resistance from the Centre, then it is doing okay enough.

Let me hit you with some real talk.

The TMC, a regional party from West Bengal, raked in 1397 crores through electoral bonds and contested only in 45 constituencies in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

1397 crores / 45 seats = about 31 crores per seat.

Now, the BJP, running nationwide, had 6986.5 crores and contested 542 constituencies.

6986.5 crores / 542 seats = just 12.89 crores per seat.

So, while you’re throwing around big numbers, the TMC actually had more than twice the budget per seat. With that kind of money, TMC could afford to spend lavishly on their campaign. Remember those massive rallies, extensive ad campaigns, and glossy manifestos? Yeah, that’s where all that money went. Meanwhile, the BJP, with its supposedly huge war chest, had to stretch its resources thin across the entire country.

Looks like the real high-rollers in this election were sitting in Kolkata, not Delhi.

No doubt, as of 2023-24, West Bengal remains the sixth-largest state economy with a GSDP of ₹17.19 trillion ($208.24 billion), accounting for about 6% of India’s GDP. However, this is far from a growth story. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! Your response lacks historical context, so let me explain.

West Bengal was once a top economic player in India (which is why it still holds the fifth rank). However, its decline is a matter of record. Despite Mamata Banerjee’s promises, her tenure has not halted the industrial downturn. Major companies like Tata Motors (Nano project), Hindustan Motors, and Britannia have exited the state. Even ITC, Haldia Petrochemicals, and Shapoorji Pallonji have moved significant operations out of West Bengal. The state’s share in industrial output dropped from 9.8% in 1980-81 to around 5% by 1997-98, indicating a severe decline over the decades.

If this trend continues, West Bengal could rank among the poorest states in India in the decades to come.

Let's put a number on it babe- Trinamool Congress received 1397 crore rupees through the electoral bond route. That's enough to pay any Tier 1 law firm for Saket Gokhale’s defence at the Delhi High Court - which, by the way, THEY DID and still f#%^ing lost! Fun fact about this Tier 1 firm which represented Saket at the High Court- a high-profile partner at its sister firm, J%A (though himself and other family members), then with 11 years work experience as an attorney, donated crores of rupees to the Trinamool Congress during the onset of COVID. A point in time when salaries were being cut and layoffs were rampant.

Abject poverty or not, the state does contribute fairly well towards the GDP according to government stats. The entire country is in poverty if you visit the rural areas. Regardless of the fact that 1% are raking in the moolah. As for MM's comment about the judiciary, she is fairly accurate, though she could have put it across with more taste.

I can’t wrap my head around why the TMC keeps putting forward such loudmouths. Just look at Mahua – her latest reckless jab at the judiciary is a new low:

https://www.barandbench.com/news/judges-too-scared-relief-opposition-leaders-fear-offending-government-mahua-moitra-lok-sabha

As someone who regularly visits Calcutta and knows Bengal well, it breaks my heart to see how things are. Calcutta, once a top-tier city, has been dragged into disgrace by corruption and poor governance. The rest of Bengal, from what I’ve seen, is in a pretty bad state too. The abject poverty all around is gut-wrenching.

I wouldn’t be surprised if most people in Krishnanagar don’t even know who Darshan Hiranandani is, let alone make an informed decision based on his confession.

I urge every twiiter/ IG supporter of Saket Gokhale or Mahua Moitra to actually visit West Bengal or even Kolkata for that matter.

Spend some time there and see for yourself what’s really going on before propping up the likes of Derek, Saket, or Mahua.

Just because they screech in English doesn’t mean that they are right!

Right. Modi is guilty of all those things. And even according to powerful folks in RSS, God has punished him. Although he is leading the ruling coalition, BJP was trounced. And congrats to Madam Kindness for humbling him again, whatever the methods. Won fair and square.

But how does any of these things and what you say has anything to do with the deliberate moribund state of affairs at WBSIC. Sure the Red made it sick. But wasn't your Poriborton supposed to "London" everything into shape? Isn't Madam Kindness all about besting Modi et al?

Are we to understand that TMC bests in reverse? Setting new standards in become worse than Modi?

Saket Gokhale is nothing but a Twitter troll. It’s really unfortunate that Gen Z followers have built up vacuous social media influencers like Dhruv Rathee and Saket Gokhale. These followers don’t have the patience to read and in-depth article in Caravan or EPW, but read, believe and retweet the inane (often factually incorrect) posts by these people. Also, I hope you people realise that Rathee monetises his content. He makes money off you. He isn’t some modern-day Gandhi doing it for free. His feed is full of photos of him travelling business class and going on fancy holidays.