West Bengal Governor Meets TMC Delegation, Will Raise MGNREGA Dues Matter With Centre

The TMC delegation urged the Governor to meet with protestors led by senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, who have been conducting an indefinite sit-in near Raj Bhavan since Thursday.

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose will address the state's outstanding MGNREGA dues with the Central government, as confirmed by an official from the Raj Bhavan on Saturday, news agency PTI reported. Governor Bose's decision follows a closed-door meeting held with a Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation in Darjeeling. The three-member TMC delegation met with Governor Bose in Darjeeling, presenting their requests related to the settlement of the state's financial dues under the MGNREGA scheme. 

After engaging with the TMC delegation, the Governor resolved to take up the matter of MGNREGA dues with the Central government, demonstrating his commitment to the well-being of West Bengal's citizens, the official informed PTI.

The TMC delegation urged the Governor to meet with protestors led by senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, who have been conducting an indefinite sit-in near Raj Bhavan since Thursday.

Following the meeting, senior TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee expressed confidence that Governor Bose acknowledged the state's demands. "We have presented our demands to the Governor and have suggested that he should visit Kolkata to meet Abhishek Banerjee and the aggrieved job-card holders who are demonstrating in the city," said Kalyan Banerjee, as quoted by PTI.

He further stated that the Governor conveyed his alignment with the state's demands and pledged to pursue the matter with the Union government. Kalyan Banerjee also noted, "But he has also said that if there is any political intervention regarding the matter, he can't help."

On Friday, TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee announced the TMC delegation's forthcoming meeting with Governor CV Ananda Bose in Darjeeling in response to the Governor's invitation. Abhishek Banerjee, widely regarded as the number two in the TMC, emphasised that the indefinite sit-in outside the Governor's House in Kolkata would continue until Governor Bose personally holds discussions with the protestors.

The sit-in, initiated by Abhishek Banerjee, gained momentum as a substantial gathering of party members and top leadership marched to Raj Bhavan in Kolkata to protest against the alleged withholding of West Bengal's MGNREGA dues by the Centre.