'Politics of religion': BJP criticises Mamata for ₹1.1 lakh grant to community Durga Pujas
BJP's state general secretary Agnimitra Paul on Saturday (August 2, 2025) alleged that the Banerjee-led government was ignoring development, while giving out doles.
Ms. Paul, the MLA of Asansol South constituency, said building temples and giving grants for puja cannot be the objective of a government.
"This shows the government is shifting its priorities. Instead of building roads and creating employment opportunities, Mamata Banerjee is busy doing politics of religion," she alleged, speaking to reporters.
Now, members of other communities will demand that the government build their places of worship, just like the Jagannath temple in Digha, she added.
Ms. Paul, a fashion designer-turned-politician, said the BJP was in favour of developing the education sector, creating employment opportunities, and uplifting every Indian citizen, irrespective of their religion.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
a few seconds ago
- New Indian Express
Centre releases Rs 3,000 crore for CMRL Phase 2 in 2025-26
CHENNAI: The union government has released Rs 3,000 crore so far this financial year towards Chennai Metro Rail's Phase 2 project, according to a Right to Information (RTI) response accessed by TNIE. The funds, disbursed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as of July 28, form part of a total outlay of Rs 8,445.8 crore earmarked for the project in 2025-26 — the single-largest allocation for any metro project across the country this year. The release includes the full equity contribution of Rs 1,841.2 crore, Rs 158.8 crore in subordinate debt, and Rs 1,000 crore in pass-through assistance (PTA) from external agencies, according to the ministry's reply to RTI petitioner Dayanand Krishnan. A senior official with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said the centre had already released approximately Rs 5,400 crore before March 2025, following the formal approval of Phase 2 as a central sector scheme in October 2024. 'The Rs 3,000 crore includes funds received during April and May. In total, Tamil Nadu has received around Rs 8,400 crore so far. It's not disbursed in tranches — funds are released as and when needed,' the official said. Spanning 118.9 km across three corridors, Phase 2 is one of India's largest ongoing urban mobility investments. Its reclassification as a central sector scheme last year has unlocked direct funding from the union government, after years of procedural delays. The steady flow of funds is expected to ease financial pressure on the Tamil Nadu government, which has been seeking continued central support for its expanding mass transit infrastructure. The large allocation also signals the strategic and political significance of the project, with Chennai emerging as a key node in India's urban transport agenda. RTI activist Krishnan, who has closely tracked metro funding in Tamil Nadu, urged the union government to expedite approvals and funding for three pending proposals from the state: A new corridor linking Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam, and greenfield metro projects in Madurai and Coimbatore. Concrete moves Release includes equity of Rs 1,841 cr, Rs 158 cr subordinate debt, Rs 1K c assistance from external agencies In total, Tamil Nadu has received around Rs 8,400 crore so far, says official 118.9 km across 3 corridors; Phase 2 is one of India's largest urban mobility projects
New Indian Express
a few seconds ago
- New Indian Express
Smart meters: Karnataka HC stays probe against George, Bescom till August 20
BENGALURU: The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday stayed further proceedings against energy minister KJ George, Bescom MD Mahantesh Bilagi and another official in the case pertaining to a special court directing the Lokayukta police to submit a report on a private complaint filed by three BJP MLAs over the alleged irregularities in inviting tenders for supply of smart meters. Justice MI Arun passed the interim order staying the proceedings till August 20 and issued notice to the complainants after hearing the petitions filed by George, Bilagi and another Bescom official questioning the legality of the order passed by the special court. Their counsel argued that the order passed by the special court is against the law as no prior sanction was obtained from the competent authority to prosecute the petitioners, who are public servants, as mandated under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The complainants, MLAs Ashwath Narayan CN, SR Vishwanath and Dheeraj Muniraj, approached the Lokayukta police on April 21. Before the Lokayukta police initiated action, the complainants filed a private complaint before the special court, which registered it for offences under the provisions of BNS and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
New Indian Express
a few seconds ago
- New Indian Express
SC junks Madras HC order banning use of CM name in schemes
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the Madras High Court's interim order that restrained the Tamil Nadu government from using Chief Minister M K Stalin's name and image in the 'Ungaludan Stalin' welfare outreach programme. Terming the plea by AIADMK MP C Ve Shanmugam 'totally misconceived' and an abuse of process of law, the apex court imposed a Rs 10 lakh fine on him, to be paid to the state within a week. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, and comprising Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria, said the practice of naming welfare schemes after political leaders is common across the country, and selectively challenging one such scheme reflects political motive rather than genuine concern. 'We do not appreciate the anxiety of the petitioner to choose only one political party and one political leader,' the bench observed. 'If the petitioner was so concerned about the misuse of public funds, he could have challenged all such schemes.' The court noted that even during the AIADMK's tenure, many schemes were branded after CM J Jayalalithaa as 'Amma' initiatives. Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the DMK and the state government respectively, cited similar schemes in support of their case.
