The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday launched a strong attack on the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), citing a 700-page report submitted to the Calcutta High Court by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). According to the BJP, the report indicates a potential Rs 100 crore scam in the disbursal of flood relief funds in Malda district during the TMC government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The BJP claimed that the findings expose what it called a “ruthless, systematic loot of public money.” The party alleged that genuine flood victims were deprived of assistance while relief funds were siphoned off by influential individuals connected to the ruling party. The BJP described the alleged irregularities as a “state-sponsored heist” and said the report revealed an organized pattern of financial misconduct.
The party highlighted that 6,965 individuals received flood relief payments multiple times. Some accounts reportedly received funds between two and 42 times. One case in Harishchandrapur-2 block reportedly involved a single individual receiving relief funds 42 times. BJP also alleged that Rs 7.5 crore was disbursed for damage to pucca houses, even though the district magistrate’s report confirmed that no such damage had occurred.
According to the BJP, 108 public representatives and government employees, including some connected to the TMC, received benefits intended for below-poverty-line households. These individuals were allegedly already drawing regular salaries. In addition, over Rs 7 crore was reportedly paid to people who never applied for relief. Official records from block offices were said to be missing, raising concerns that authorities attempted to hide the trail of the funds.
The BJP targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of hypocrisy. The party stated that while the TMC publicly talks about deprivation, its leaders were allegedly misappropriating funds meant for the poor. The BJP also referred to the TMC’s governance style as being influenced by a culture of “Churi” and “Chit-fund” scandals. The party labeled the alleged scam as a “state-sponsored dacoity” and demanded accountability for those responsible.
BJP officials added that the findings of the CAG report are significant and could have political ramifications, particularly in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections. The party emphasized that exposing the alleged misuse of flood relief funds was crucial to protect public money and ensure that future aid reaches the intended beneficiaries. The BJP called for a thorough investigation into the matter and urged the government to answer questions regarding how such large-scale irregularities could occur under its supervision.
The allegations highlight concerns about transparency, accountability, and the proper distribution of public welfare funds. Authorities have been urged to track and recover misused funds and ensure that future relief measures are implemented fairly. The BJP’s statements indicate that the issue is likely to remain a central topic in political debates in West Bengal over the coming months.