The political battle between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reached new heights after the Union Budget 2025 was presented. TMC MPs alleged that West Bengal was ignored in the budget, but Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman fired back with scathing remarks, calling out the state government’s inefficiency and corruption.
TMC’s Outrage: “Bengal Neglected”
TMC leaders expressed disappointment over the Union Budget, claiming that Bengal was sidelined despite its economic and political significance. Accusing the central government of bias, TMC MPs argued that the state was being deliberately underfunded for political reasons. Their grievances centered around a lack of significant allocations for infrastructure, industries, and welfare schemes in the state.
FM Sitharaman’s Sharp Counterattack
However, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was quick to respond, dismissing the TMC’s claims as baseless. In a bold statement, she remarked, “TMC has become synonymous with corruption.” She further presented alarming statistics highlighting West Bengal’s economic downfall, noting that the state’s contribution to India’s industrial production had plummeted from 24% in 1947 to just 3.5% in 2021.
Sitharaman didn’t hold back when addressing corruption in state-run welfare programs either. She revealed that complaints of irregularities in the PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) had been received, alongside allegations of 25 lakh fake job cards under MNREGA, which she claimed were looted by TMC officials.
Bengal’s Industrial Decline: A Political Hot Potato
The finance minister’s remarks have reignited discussions over Bengal’s economic trajectory. Once a thriving industrial powerhouse, the state has seen a consistent decline in investment and manufacturing. The opposition has long blamed the TMC government for failing to create a business-friendly environment, citing issues like extortion, lack of law and order, and political violence that deter investors.
On the other hand, TMC argues that the state has been deliberately targeted by the Centre, with crucial funds being withheld. The party maintains that despite these challenges, Bengal continues to make strides in sectors like MSMEs, tourism, and IT.
The Bigger Picture: Politics or Policy?
While both sides trade allegations, the bigger question remains: Is West Bengal truly suffering from systemic economic decay, or is this merely political rhetoric ahead of the 2025 elections? The BJP is making corruption a central issue in its campaign, while TMC is banking on regional pride and welfare schemes to maintain its hold.
As the political firestorm rages on, one thing is clear—Bengal’s economic policies and governance will be a major talking point in the upcoming elections. Whether the allegations hold ground or are merely another round of political blame games, only time will tell.