Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal of diverting central funds meant for education towards party activities, claiming that the state’s education system has been severely damaged.
Speaking to the media in Kolkata after offering prayers at Kalighat temple along with BJP candidate Swapan Dasgupta, Pradhan alleged that funds allocated for schemes such as mid-day meals, textbooks, and school uniforms were misused.
“The central government provided funds for mid-day meals, books and dresses, but the money was diverted towards party activities. Education in Bengal has been destroyed,” he said.
Pradhan further claimed that West Bengal’s rich academic legacy, shaped by icons like Swami Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore, has deteriorated due to decades of “misrule”, referring to both the Left Front’s long tenure and the current TMC government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The ruling TMC strongly rejected the allegations, calling them baseless, and countered by accusing the Centre of withholding nearly ₹2 lakh crore in dues meant for welfare schemes in the state.
The Union minister also raised concerns about the teacher recruitment process, alleging that it has either stalled or been affected by corruption.
Expressing confidence in the BJP’s prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections, Pradhan said his party’s campaign is focused on ensuring a “fear-free Bengal”, with emphasis on job creation and women’s safety.
On voter roll revisions, he questioned the inclusion of alleged infiltrators, asking whose votes should determine the state’s future.
West Bengal will go to the polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.
