Malda Muslims reject Lakshmir Bhandar, switch from TMC to AIMIM

Even as the state government has announced an increase in the allowance under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, a section of Muslim residents in Malda has rejected the welfare benefit, demanding instead education and employment for the young men of their families. In a significant political development, several women, along with men, quit the Trinamul Congress and joined the AIMIM in the district on Thursday.

Reacting to the development in the Muslim-dominated Malda district, senior BJP leader and former state party president Dilip Ghosh said Muslims must decide whether they wish to stand with development or align themselves with corruption, and whether they want peace or continued violence and bloodshed.

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“As long as the TMC government remains in power, these things will continue. Corruption, killings and riots will persist, and Muslims will suffer the most,” Mr Ghosh said.

“Even after this, if they still want to keep this government in power, it is their choice. In a democracy, everyone has the right to decide,” he added.

The switching-over programme from the TMC to the AIMIM was held in the Paranpur-Mirzapur area under the Ratua Assembly constituency in Malda district. The programme was led by AIMIM Ratua-I Block president Jahangir Sheikh, who formally inducted the new members by handing over party flags.

Women who joined the AIMIM said they were not interested in Lakshmir Bhandar, but wanted education and employment opportunities for their sons. They alleged that the lack of jobs in the state was forcing young men to migrate to other states for work, where many had met with accidents and even lost their lives. They said their demand for jobs for the youth prompted them to leave the Trinamul Congress.

Commenting on the state Budget, Mr Ghosh said there were no expectations from the government.

“What value does a budget have when a government runs its ‘household’ on borrowed money?” he asked.