Mamata holds 'Jonosanjog Yatra' in West Bengal's Malda

Will sit on dharna from Feb. 2 if Centre does not clear Bengal’s dues, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee during a public distribution programme in Malda

A file photo of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. | Photo Credit: AP

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on January 31 began her Jonosanjog Yatra at English Bazar in Malda district, where Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is also scheduled to enter during the day.

The procession led by Ms. Banerjee started from the Malda Police Line ground and will culminate at the District Sports Association ground, a senior official said.

‘Will sit on dharna if Centre does not clear Bengal’s dues’

Speaking at a public distribution programme in Malda, Ms. Banerjee said she would stage a demonstration in Kolkata from February 2 if the BJP-led Union Government does not clear the State’s dues by February 1.

Ms. Banerjee urged party workers and those affected by the non-payment of funds to participate in the dharna, which would be staged at the BR Ambedkar statue in Red Road area in the eastern metropolis.

“I have given them an ultimatum till February 1 to clear all dues of the State, failing which I will stage a dharna from February 2. If the dues are not cleared, I know how to get it through a movement.

“I urge all party leaders and workers to participate in the dharna... I want everyone’s support,” she said.

The Chief Minister claimed that the state’s dues amount to a mammoth ₹7,000 crore for several central government-run schemes including MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana (PMGAY), among others.

After completing trips to Cooch Behar, Uttar Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur districts, Ms. Banerjee reached Malda this morning. During the day, she will also hold an administrative review meeting in the district and attend a Government programme in Murshidabad.

Ms. Banerjee is expected to make some new announcements in the health, education, and transportation sectors in Murshidabad district. She has been on a trip to the districts of North Bengal where she held administrative meetings.

Notably, both Malda and Murshidabad are considered to be strongholds of the Congress.

Security arrangements have been beefed up in the two districts in view of the Chief Minister's visit.