‘Students forced Delhi zamindars to bow’: Abhishek Banerjee takes dig at Centre over CJP protest
KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Friday launched a veiled attack on the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, saying students had compelled the “Delhi zamindars” to bow before the power of the youth.Addressing a rally organised to mark the foundation day of the TMC Chhatra Parishad, Banerjee said the recent student-led agitation had demonstrated the influence of young people in forcing the government to respond to their demands.“Students have forced ‘Delhi zamindars’ to bow before the might of youth,” he said.Banerjee was apparently referring to the recent Cockroach Janta Party protest over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and the demand for the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Banerjee also targeted party leaders, MPs and MLAs who had switched political camps, ruling out their return to the Trinamool Congress, news agency PTI reported.“We will not allow a single traitor to return to Trinamool Congress.”Comparing welfare schemes, Banerjee said the Mamata Banerjee government had extended Lakshmir Bhandar assistance to 2.5 crore women in West Bengal, while the BJP dispensation was struggling to provide benefits under Annapurna Yojana to 1.5 crore women.“The Mamata Banerjee government gave Lakshmir Bhandar assistance to 2.5 crore women in West Bengal, while the BJP dispensation was struggling to provide Annapurna Yojana benefits to 1.5 crore,” Banerjee said.The BJP government in West Bengal has launched the Annapurna Yojana, which provides a monthly allowance of Rs 3,000 to eligible women, replacing the Lakshmir Bhandar programme introduced by the previous TMC regime.(With agency inputs)
