‘BJP will take Lakshmi Bandar’s money’: CM Mamata to Bengal women voters

New Delhi: Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee The BJP on Saturday accused the BJP of trying to mislead women voters and warned them not to share bank details, claiming it could lead to financial fraud.Addressing a public rally, Banerjee claimed that BJP workers might approach families posing as West Bengal or Bengal representatives. Trinamool Congress (TMC) government and requested bank account details on the pretext of providing financial benefits.“Mothers and sisters, stay alert, the people of the BJP will come to your house in the name of the West Bengal government, the TMC government and ask for your bank account number and say they will give you money. Don’t give them your account number, even if it’s wrong; they will take your Lakshmi Bandar money. That’s their ploy,” she said.

She has repeatedly highlighted the state government’s Lakshmi Bandar Scheme, claiming that it benefits women, and warned voters against delivering on the BJP’s promises. She had earlier said, “Women have benefited. The BJP will provide some funds before the polls but close it after the polls.” The scheme was launched in 2021 to provide financial assistance to women from socio-economically disadvantaged groups. Under the scheme, Rs 1,200 per month is provided to households of SC/ST women for women aged between 25 and 60 years and Rs 1,000 per month to other beneficiaries.The chief minister also criticized the Congress party for lack of coordination on electoral issues.“We told Congress many times that we should all go to the Electoral Commission to protest together, but you did not go. Today, you will field candidates and win the election, but you will not stand with the people in their difficult moment,” she said.Banerjee further claimed that a huge amount of money was being circulated during the elections and urged voters to remain vigilant.Earlier, the chief minister claimed at an election rally in Purulia that the BJP would interfere in Bengal’s food culture, including the consumption of fish and meat, if elected.Addressing a rally, she said, “The BJP says you cannot eat fish, meat, eggs; they do not believe in any religion; they resort to riots; in the states ruled by the BJP, adivasis are exploited and women are attacked.”Her remarks were in line with the TMC’s campaign narrative, which portrayed the BJP as out of touch with Bengal’s cultural mores.

Banerjee, while escalating her criticism, also targeted the BJP leadership, referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent remarks. “A key leader of the BJP has issued a ‘charge sheet’ against the TMC; a ‘charge sheet’ should be filed against them. There are a lot of riots in Gujarat,” she said.