Suvendu, Mamata spar over Annapurna Bhandar benefits in West Bengal
Political tensions in West Bengal have escalated as opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari and former CM Mamata Banerjee spar over the administration of the Annapurna Bhandar cash transfer scheme. Banerjee has accused the current government of politicizing benefits based on caste and religion.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the intense political rivalry in West Bengal and the challenges of managing large-scale social welfare programs in a polarized environment.
The disbursement of cash to women under the West Bengal government’s Annapurna Bhandar scheme has given a handle to the Opposition parties to target the Suvendu Adhikari government.
Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee took the opportunity on Monday (August 24, 2026) to target the Bharatiya Janata Party government. “Before the election, the BJP did not discuss eligibility to receive the money. Will the BJP now decide who is eligible? Why are women not receiving money under the Annapurna scheme? Women are being given benefits based on caste and religion,” the former Chief Minister said.
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