BJP Questions Mamata Govt’s Priorities After Budgetary Hike For Minority Department, TMC Strikes Back

Last Updated:February 13, 2025, 15:35 IST

Data from the finance department shows that allocation to the department has increased 11.87 times in the state from 2011 to 2025, giving ammunition to the BJP

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a press conference after the presentation of the state Budget 2025-26 at the state Assembly in Kolkata. (PTI)

The West Bengal government’s decision to increase allocation for the Minority and Madrasah Department in the latest state budget has become the latest ammunition for the BJP, which has questioned chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s priorities.

Data from the finance department shows that allocation to the department has increased 11.87 times in the state from 2011 to 2025. In 2011, when the Banerjee government came to power, the expenditure was Rs 472 crore. This year, the budgetary allocation is Rs 5,602.29 crore — a jump of 11.87 times from 2011.

Slamming the government, BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X: “Shocking Budget priorities of Mamata Banerjee Govt in Bengal. While Bengal struggles with unemployment and poor infrastructure, and failing industries, the TMC Govt continues its blatant appeasement politics. Just look at this budget allocation."

The budget mentions that Rs 5,602.29 crore has been allocated to the minority department for the year 2025-2026. In the year 2024-25, the budget allocation for the same was Rs 5,530.65 crore.

Going back, data shows that in 2023-2024 Budget, allocation for the department was Rs 5,166.99; it was Rs 5,004.05 crore in 2022-23; and Rs 4,777.82 crore in 2021-2022 — signalling a steady rise in the allocation.

Reacting to the criticism, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said: “Why has the central government’s budgetary allocation on minorities reduced? Is it because minorities do not cast their vote for BJP? In the education department, the government has allocated more than Rs 40,000 crore. Does Bengal government see religion in people who are getting benefits of Lakhir Bhandar and Kanyashree schemes?"

Senior TMC minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay told News18: “The Mamata Banerjee government wants development for all sections of people. Budget focuses on people who are poor and from the backward classes. In a society, one group of people does well, while others lag behind. Banerjee does not want that. Only Muslims are not minorities. There are others too and we have to bring them all together. BJP is trying to propagate a wrong narrative. Budgetary allocation of all departments has increased."

This was the last budget presented by the Banerjee government before state elections next year and, hence, has become a bone of contention between the TMC and BJP.

News politics BJP Questions Mamata Govt’s Priorities After Budgetary Hike For Minority Department, TMC Strikes Back