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The Chief Minister also questioned BJP leaders over their repeated allegations of Rohingya presence in Bengal, pointing out that draft electoral rolls have already been published.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Centre has yet to release Rs 2 lakh crore in dues owed to West Bengal. (Photo: PTI file)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a strong attack on the BJP, asserting that the party would be “reduced to zero” in the upcoming state Assembly elections.
Speaking in the state Assembly, Banerjee alleged that the Centre has yet to release Rs 2 lakh crore in dues owed to West Bengal.
“You all were zero, and you will be zero. Bengal will be a hero. Use all agencies, but the people of Bengal will reject you,” she said.
The Chief Minister also claimed that the BJP-led central government has not provided “even one paisa” for the Gangasagar Mela — a major annual Hindu pilgrimage held at the confluence of the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal on Sagar Island, usually around Makar Sankranti.
Responding to the BJP’s criticism over alleged delays in providing land for border fencing, Banerjee said, “Whom have we not given land to? You want to occupy Bengal. Complete the work on the land already given. There will be no problem with land. We give land to Coal and the Army. You have installed Pegasus so that nobody can speak freely.”
The Chief Minister also questioned BJP leaders over their repeated allegations of Rohingya presence in Bengal, pointing out that draft electoral rolls have already been published. “Have you found any Rohingya?” she asked.
She further criticised the BJP for remaining silent on alleged attacks against migrant labourers from West Bengal in other states.
“Migrant labourers are tortured outside — what do you do then? Why didn’t you protest at that time? You only think about infiltrators, nothing else. Those who have just turned 18 — will they not become voters? Why is Bengal being targeted?” Banerjee said.
Banerjee also said the Governor himself had acknowledged Bengal’s achievements. “The Governor has said that Bengal stands number one. As far as I know, he had a flight around 1:15 pm, which is why he could not complete the entire speech,” she said.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari interjected, claiming the Governor had cut short his address for another reason. “The Governor’s speech was 45 minutes, but he stopped reading after around four-and-a-half minutes because, in the Ghatal Master Plan paragraph, the Central government had been criticised,” Adhikari said.
Earlier today, the West Bengal government moved a resolution in the assembly over alleged hardships being faced by people due to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Moving the resolution under Rule 169, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shovandeb Chattopadhyay claimed that the SIR process led to harassment of voters and the death of 107 people due to anxiety over the exercise. Criticising the Election Commission, he asserted it had “turned into a commission of harassment” ahead of the assembly polls in the state.
Speaker Biman Banerjee, however, rejected the proposal, contending that since the matter was pending before the apex court, the assembly could not deliberate on it.
Kolkata [Calcutta], India, India
February 05, 2026, 14:37 IST
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