West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre from Nabanna, asserting that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was being imposed “by force.”
Rejecting any possibility of detention camps in the state, she said, “I will not make people suffer by holding detention camps. I will tell the Central Government— do not impose anything forcefully like the British Government. If you have something to say, tell the state directly. I do not do communal politics, I do secular politics.”
At the administrative meeting, Mamata presented the state’s 14-year development report card, listing achievements across sectors while simultaneously accusing the BJP-led central government of using the SIR to secure its vote bank through the Election Commission. The Bharatiya Janata Party, in turn, has accused her government of appeasement and of opposing the SIR to retain fake voters.
The Chief Minister also reiterated her long-standing charge of central deprivation, claiming that nearly ₹2 lakh crore owed to West Bengal remains unpaid. “The Centre is taking money from the state through GST. Even then, our dues are stuck. Despite this, we have kept projects like Karmashree and Banglar Bari running on our own initiative,” she said. She warned the Centre against delaying funds until just before the elections, remarking, “We also understand the trick.”
Since coming to power in 2011, the state government has introduced 94 social security schemes, including Lakshmir Bhandar, Kanyashree, Krishak Bandhu, and the Student Credit Card scheme. Mamata highlighted that the government has made progress in areas ranging from health and education to agriculture and infrastructure. Observers noted that her detailed presentation served as an implicit response to opposition claims that Bengal has seen no real development.
A video showcasing the state’s “14-year panchali of development” was played at the beginning of the programme, with singer Iman Chakraborty performing a theme song. According to the Chief Minister, the intent was to revive the cultural memory of traditional village panchalis.
The development statistics presented were extensive: the state’s GSDP has increased by ₹20.31 lakh crore in 14 and a half years, tax collection has risen 5.33 times, and 1.72 crore people have come out of poverty. The unemployment rate has fallen by 40 percent, agriculture has grown 9.16 times, and 1.60 crore farmers have benefited from Krishak Bandhu. More than two crore people have secured jobs in industry, and over 660 MSME clusters have been formed, with 42 lakh youths receiving skill training.
On the welfare front, one crore women receive Kanyashree benefits, 2.21 crore receive Lakshmi Bhandar, and migrant workers are being provided assistance of ₹5,000 each. In health, the budget has increased sixfold, 2.45 crore families are covered under Swasthya Saathi, and 211 ICCU-model Swasthya Bandhu vans are being deployed. Housing projects have provided 67.69 lakh ready homes under Banglar Bari, with another 16 lakh in progress, and nearly one crore houses planned across departments. The state has built 1.90 lakh km of rural roads under Pathashree and is constructing a ₹1,700-crore bridge over the Buriganga River for Gangasagar.
The government also highlighted its food security measures, noting that nine crore people receive food assistance, while 7.41 crore get ration delivered to their doorsteps.
In minority development, 4.85 crore students have received financial support. Since 2011, 6.56 crore land pattas have been distributed, and all refugee colonies have been officially recognised. Tourism figures were also showcased, with the state claiming 24 crore domestic and foreign tourists visited Bengal in October 2025 alone, which has placed Bengal second in the country.
Also read: Mamata to scale up anti-SIR protest in Bengal
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