Political Storm Brews Ahead of Monsoon
The monsoon clouds may not have fully arrived, but a political storm between New Delhi and Kolkata is already at full fury. In a fresh salvo in the long-running feud, the Union government has vehemently rejected West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s accusations of financial discrimination, stating that it has released nearly Rs 1,290 crore to the state under its flood management programme.
Mamata’s Accusation of a ‘Step-Motherly Attitude’
The latest chapter in this saga began earlier this week when CM Banerjee penned a sharp letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She accused the Centre of a “step-motherly attitude” and of deliberately withholding funds for critical flood management projects, most notably the long-pending Ghatal Master Plan. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo’s letter painted a picture of a state left to fend for itself against the ravages of perennial flooding that affects lakhs of people in its southern districts.
Centre’s Rebuttal: Rs 1,290 Crore Already Released
However, sources in the Union Jal Shakti Ministry were quick to counter this narrative. According to senior officials, not only have funds been consistently allocated, but West Bengal has been a significant beneficiary of the Centre’s Flood Management Programme (FMP).
“The allegation of discrimination is baseless,” a source was quoted as saying. “Since the inception of the FMP, a total of Rs 1,289.65 crore has been released to the Government of West Bengal as central assistance for 53 different flood management projects. The narrative that funds are being choked is a political one, not a factual one.”
A History of Centre-State Friction
This point-counterpoint is more than just a statistical squabble; it cuts to the heart of the strained Centre-state relations that have defined the political landscape for years. The TMC has repeatedly accused the BJP-led Centre of using federal agencies and financial approvals as tools to undermine its government. The withholding of funds under schemes like MNREGA and PM Awas Yojana has been a constant flashpoint, with this latest accusation regarding flood management adding another layer to the conflict.
The BJP, in turn, has consistently maintained that any delays are often due to the state government’s failure to comply with procedural norms, such as submitting utilisation certificates or providing its matching share for centrally sponsored schemes.
Ghatal Master Plan at the Heart of the Dispute
Caught in this political crossfire is the critical Ghatal Master Plan, a proposed multi-crore project aimed at providing a permanent solution to the flooding woes of West Midnapore and parts of East Midnapore. For decades, the region has been devastated by floods, and the master plan is seen as a lifeline. Ms. Banerjee’s letter specifically highlighted the Centre’s alleged failure to clear this project, which she argued was vital for the state’s well-being.
As leaders trade barbs, the people on the ground are left watching the skies with apprehension. With the monsoon season approaching, the question on everyone’s mind is simple: will the political logjam break before the riverbanks do?
