Sukhu in Kolkata: A Call for Change and Development
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu arrived in Kolkata, West Bengal, to campaign for the Congress party. Speaking at a press conference, he strongly criticized both the central BJP government and the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state.
Sukhu argued that West Bengal has been left behind in development, claiming that corruption and betrayal have defined the current administration. He said the state is being run by a “syndicate” and stressed that slogans alone cannot bring progress—governments must take responsibility to put people first.
Highlighting Congress’s inclusive ideology, Sukhu emphasized that the party respects all religions and castes. He urged voters to see Congress as the path to strengthening democracy and securing West Bengal’s future.
For the first time in two decades, Congress has fielded candidates across all 294 Assembly seats. Sukhu promised that if Congress comes to power, development will accelerate. He accused the central government of discriminating against West Bengal, pointing out that no new projects have been sanctioned and that existing ones were initiated during Congress’s tenure. He also criticized the weakening of MGNREGA, which he said deprived lakhs of people of employment.
Sukhu reminded the audience of Congress’s legacy in empowering women, citing Rajiv Gandhi’s role in reserving seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. He dismissed the BJP-led Women’s Reservation Bill as politically motivated and argued it should have been implemented immediately after its approval in 2023.
Drawing parallels with Himachal Pradesh, Sukhu said the Congress government there has fulfilled its promises and is working toward self-reliance. He accused the previous BJP government of financial mismanagement, claiming it distributed freebies worth ₹5,000 crore in its final months, damaging the state’s economy. He further alleged that the central government has now stopped crucial grants, stalling development projects.
