Mamata Holds Overnight Protest for West Bengal’s Unpaid Dues from Centre

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 3rd Feb. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continued her protest overnight, demanding the Centre to release West Bengal’s outstanding payments for social welfare programs. She went for a walk on Saturday morning after enduring the cold throughout the night.

Banerjee, along with leaders from her party, the TMC, initiated the demonstration on Friday afternoon in front of BR Ambedkar’s statue in Kolkata’s Maidan area.

State ministers like Firhad Hakim and Aroop Biswas accompanied Banerjee throughout the night at the protest site.

In the morning, she took a walk on Red Road, which is nearby, and also visited a basketball ground.

“The area was covered in thick fog, but Banerjee went for her morning walk with her security personnel. She stopped at a basketball ground where she saw a few players and engaged in conversation with them. She showed interest in understanding the sport and the ball used,” said a TMC leader who was with her.

Banerjee’s protest is based on her claim that the BJP-led central government owes the state thousands of crores of rupees for various welfare schemes, including the MGNREGA and the PM Awas Yojana.

The protest will continue for 48 hours until Sunday, coinciding with the start of the state’s budget session on Monday.