Mamata Slams Budget Allocation, Raises Poll Concerns
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Union Budget 2026–27, calling the budget allocation for Bengal “insufficient” and alleging political bias in the distribution of funds. She said the state had been “short-changed” compared with others, especially in sectors like infrastructure, health and education.
State vs Centre Budget Dispute
Mamata Banerjee also accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the State Election Commission (SEC) of discrimination in implementation of poll preparations, saying bureaucratic delays had hurt development work. She claimed that funds due to West Bengal were held back unfairly, which she linked to political rivalry ahead of upcoming elections.
Political Reactions
Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the budget, saying allocations are based on objective criteria like population and performance. They said Bengal’s share is not unusually low and that states receive funds according to established formulae. Opposition parties supported Mamata’s demand for higher allocations and a review of funding formulas.
The debate highlights rising tensions between the West Bengal government and the central government over resource sharing and federal cooperation ahead of key electoral contests.
