Today, Abhishek Banerjee delivered a significant message from a public rally held at the Lalgarh Sajib Sangha ground in Jhargram. Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, Jhargram: Once again, the topics of 'Yubasathi' and 'Lakshmir Bhandar' featured prominently in the election campaign. Speaking from the public meeting at the Lalgarh Sajib Sangha ground in Jhargram today, Abhishek Banerjee conveyed a crucial message. The Trinamool Congress's All-India General Secretary stated, "For those who filled out forms for the 'Yubasathi' scheme but have not yet received the funds, the reason is that the election schedule was announced on the 16th. The results will be declared on May 4th; thereafter, everyone under the 'Yubasathi' scheme—even if a few individuals, be it two, four, or ten, remain—will receive their money. No one will be deprived. We give you our word... Mothers, do not fall into any traps. As long as the Trinamool Congress exists, you will continue to receive the benefits of 'Lakshmir Bhandar' for a lifetime. This is our pledge: as long as the Trinamool Congress remains in this Bengal, mothers will continue to receive 'Lakshmir Bhandar'." Bengal Election 2026: Much like his other rallies, Abhishek continued to target the BJP relentlessly from the podium throughout today's meeting. He remarked, "These people have never delivered even a single penny's worth of developmental services to the public. You may have applied for services, you may have stood in queues; yet, over the past five years, you have never witnessed a single instance where a BJP worker or supporter stood by your side to offer assistance or extend a helping hand. They are merely misleading the people."
In addition to this, he presented a detailed account of the various schemes implemented by the state government. Abhishek stated, "Here, over the last two years—specifically within the Jhargram Assembly constituency... just the last two years—and mind you, I am not citing statistics from 12 or 15 years ago—approximately 12,000 impoverished individuals have received homes under the 'Ma-Mati-Manush' government. Of this, Narendra Modi’s contribution amounts to not even a single paisa. Since the announcement of the 2021 elections... over the last five years alone—within just the Jhargram Assembly constituency, encompassing the 18 wards of Jhargram town, the four Gram Panchayats (GPs) of Jhargram Rural, and the 10 GPs of Binpur-1—a total of nearly 72,000 mothers have been receiving the monthly 'Lakshmir Bhandar' allowance. I issue a challenge to the BJP: Narendra Modi’s government is in power in 16 states—his party holds the reins in 16 states. If the BJP can demonstrate in even a single one of those states—if they can replicate the way Mamata Banerjee has implemented the 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme here in Bengal—then I will cease to engage in politics. I will quit politics entirely. I leave this challenge with you. They promised to deposit ₹15 lakh into every account; has anyone received it? Yet, have people received the benefits of Mamata Banerjee’s 'Yubasathi' and 'Lakshmir Bhandar' schemes? The answer is: 'Yes.' They promised to create 20 million jobs; has anyone received one? The answer is: 'No.' Have people received the benefits of 'Krishak Bandhu' and 'Swasthya Sathi'? The answer is: 'Yes.'"