Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Suvendu Adhikari Rebukes Mamata Over Annapurna Yojana Criticism
Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari argued about a government payment program for women.
Banerjee said the BJP government had not kept its promises.
She also said the program had planning problems and irregularities.
Adhikari denied this and said every eligible person could receive money, regardless of religion or political party.
He said more than 14.5 million people had already received payments.
He also said about 1.92 million Muslim beneficiaries had received money.
Adhikari accused Banerjee’s earlier government of choosing some beneficiaries based on religion.
Banerjee wanted her former Lakshmir Bhandar assistance program to be brought back.
Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP government of breaking pre-election promises and mishandling Annapurna Yojana payments.
Suvendu Adhikari rejected the allegations and said eligible beneficiaries were not being selected based on religion or political affiliation.
Adhikari said 1,45,64,472 beneficiaries had received funds directly, including 19.20 lakh Muslims.
He accused Banerjee’s previous government of religious discrimination in housing allocations and appeasement politics.
Adhikari also criticized Banerjee over recent incidents in Baruipur and Halisahar, while she called for the return of Lakshmir Bhandar.
- Who
- West Bengal political leaders Suvendu Adhikari and Mamata Banerjee.
- What
- They exchanged allegations over the implementation of Annapurna Yojana and the selection of welfare beneficiaries.
- When
- The dispute followed Banerjee’s Facebook Live session on Monday and Adhikari’s subsequent press conference.
- Where
- The remarks were made online and at Nabanna in West Bengal; Adhikari also referred to Nandigram, Baruipur and Halisahar.
- Why
- Banerjee alleged that the BJP government failed to meet promises and mishandled Annapurna Yojana, while Adhikari defended the scheme and accused her of earlier religious discrimination.
Mamata Banerjee’s Criticism
Suvendu Adhikari’s Defence
Implementation of Annapurna Yojana
Mamata Banerjee’s Criticism
Banerjee said the BJP government had failed to fulfill pre-election promises, lacked proper planning and allowed irregularities in implementing the scheme.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Defence
Adhikari said the government was distributing funds to all eligible beneficiaries without discrimination based on religion or political affiliation.
Selection of welfare beneficiaries
Mamata Banerjee’s Criticism
Banerjee criticized the government’s welfare delivery and sought the return of Lakshmir Bhandar, the assistance scheme introduced by her government.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Defence
Adhikari accused Banerjee’s previous government of selecting beneficiaries based on religion and said his government did not discriminate.
Political record and recent incidents
Mamata Banerjee’s Criticism
Banerjee’s criticism focused on the BJP government’s post-election performance and welfare promises.
Suvendu Adhikari’s Defence
Adhikari countered by citing alleged earlier appeasement and criticizing Banerjee over incidents in Baruipur and Halisahar.
- Scheme under dispute
- Annapurna Yojana, a financial-assistance program for women.
- Beneficiaries paid
- 1,45,64,472 people, according to Suvendu Adhikari.
- Muslim beneficiaries
- 19.20 lakh, according to Adhikari.
- Banerjee’s allegations
- She said the BJP government betrayed people after the election and lacked proper planning, and alleged irregularities.
- Adhikari’s position
- He said all eligible beneficiaries would receive assistance regardless of religion or political affiliation.
- Alternative scheme requested
- Banerjee called for the return of Lakshmir Bhandar.
- Additional criticisms
- Adhikari referred to a rape-murder case in Baruipur and a custodial death in Halisahar while criticizing Banerjee.