In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in West Bengal, BJP legislator Shankar Ghosh launched a one-day hunger strike in Siliguri on January 22. His protest targets what he calls systematic harassment of opposition lawmakers by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
Ghosh, representing a key constituency in North Bengal, accuses the state administration of deliberately obstructing developmental projects funded by the MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) scheme. ‘From day one as an elected opposition MLA, I’ve witnessed the abuse of power,’ he told reporters, emphasizing how constitutional rights are being curtailed.
The MLA claims his repeated appeals to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Secretary, and the Assembly Speaker have gone unanswered. Even requests for meetings with the Siliguri Municipal Corporation mayor yielded no results. ‘They’re blocking our funds, delaying approvals, and stifling progress in our areas,’ Ghosh charged.
Highlighting the limited nature of MLALAD funds, Ghosh warned that such interference directly harms public welfare initiatives like road repairs, school upgrades, and healthcare facilities. The district administration stands accused of intentional delays in fund disbursement.
This hunger strike, set to continue through the next day, underscores a broader struggle for opposition voices in Bengal’s polarized politics. Ghosh insists his aim is not confrontation but safeguarding democratic rights and ensuring development reaches the grassroots.
As the protest draws attention amid ongoing TMC-BJP rivalries, it raises questions about the autonomy of opposition legislators in delivering on electoral promises. Will the government respond, or will this spark further agitations across the state?
