Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, launched a scathing attack on the West Bengal government during his visit to Malbazar and Nagrakata on Tuesday.
Highlighting the untapped potential of North Bengal, Shekhawat alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led government's indifference has left the state's tourism sector in shambles. He claimed that despite the Centre allocating hundreds of crores for tourism projects, the state government failed to utilize them.
Speaking at a workers’ meeting in support of Nagrakata's BJP candidate Puna Venra, the Minister focused on the plight of tea garden workers. “The TMC government has cheated employees and tea workers alike, from PF to pay commissions. Within 45 days of forming the government in Bengal, we will implement a new wage structure for tea workers, similar to those in Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” Shekhawat promised. After the meeting, he engaged in a local ‘Chai Pe Charcha’ in Malbazar and offered prayers at the Balaji Temple.
The Trinamool Congress was quick to dismiss these claims. Jalpaiguri District TMC Secretary Amit De retorted, “BJP is making desperate statements facing imminent defeat. They should first look at the misery of tea workers in BJP-ruled Assam.” As the assembly elections draw near, the political atmosphere in the Dooars region remains tense over issues of tourism development and labor rights.