“Not a single meaningful allocation...”: Abhishek Banerjee Slams Union Budget as 'Anti-Bengal,' Alleges ‘Financial Blockade’ by Centre

Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee launched a scathing attack at the Union government during his speech in the Lok Sabha on Friday, hitting out at the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. In his 30-minute address, the Diamond Harbour MP called the 2025-26 Union Budget an "Anti-Bengal" budget, accusing the central government of imposing a "Financial Blockade" on Bengal due to the absence of BJP rule in the state. He contrasted this with Bihar, where the BJP is in power through its JDU alliance, claiming that the state receives a "Budget Bonanza."

"In Bihar, BJP’s ally the Janata Dal United or JDU have 12 seats, that means BJP has 12 MPs in Bihar and in Bengal, BJP has 12 MPs. BJP is in power in Bihar, and BJP is not in power in Bengal. So, Bihar gets bonanza and Bengal gets blockades. This is half federalism. Not a single meaningful allocation has been made for the state of Bengal. This is a ‘Bangla Birodhi Budget’," asserted Abhishek Banerjee.

The Diamond Harbour MP then highlighted Bengal’s pending dues under various schemes remains unpaid, further exacerbating the financial hardship faced by the state. According to Banerjee, the central government still owes Bengal a staggering 1.7 lakh crore rupees across various allocations. “This is a deliberate financial blockade, a calculated move to stifle Bengal’s growth, prosperity and development,” said Banerjee.

Banerjee pointed out that despite facing such a “financial blockade, the Bengal government continued its own initiatives, such as the ‘Karmashree’ scheme, to provide employment and financial aid to those in need. “Why am I giving you these facts? Because all of you, especially the members sitting in the treasury benches, must know that even when you have deprived Bengal, the state continues to stand tall, as a true testament and example of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’ Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high - While the center withholds funds, and plays politics with the people of Bengal and their livelihoods, Bengal refuses to bend,” said the Diamond Harbour MP.

Bihar took center stage in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech, with a series of major announcements aimed at boosting the state's development. These included the establishment of a new Makhana Board, the creation of a National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management, as well as infrastructure projects such as the expansion of Patna airport and the introduction of Greenfield airports. However, the union government’s focus on Bihar, especially ahead of their state assembly election due this year, sparked sharp criticism from opposition leaders.​