On his way to an official programme in Jalpaiguri, Union minister of state for education and DoNER, Dr Sukanta Majumdar, took time to energise BJP workers and sharpen his attack on the ruling Trinamul Congress ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Stopping at Rajganj in Jalpaiguri district, the former state BJP president interacted with party leaders and workers, urging them to gear up for the upcoming polls by raising grassroots issues.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Majumdar launched a scathing attack on state officials, accusing them of working as “agents of the ruling party.” Referring to Rajganj block development officer Prashanta Barman, he remarked: “The BDO has become ‘Bechara Didi’r Officer’. He speaks like a TMC spokesperson.”
The controversy follows a statement by BDO Barman that sparked political backlash. When a group of women demanded the repair of a rain-damaged road in the area on Belakoba, Barman said: “If 100 women give up their Lakshmi Bhandar benefits, we’ll have enough funds to construct the road.”
Even local TMC leaders distanced themselves from the remarks. Jalpaiguri district TMC president Mahua Gope publicly criticised Barman’s comment, calling it inappropriate and insensitive.
Dr Majumdar said: “This shows the administration is being run on TMC’s script. When the BJP comes to power in 2026, we will introduce Annapurna Bhandar and prioritise rural infrastructure development.”
Poor rural road conditions have recently drawn sharp public and administrative attention, particularly after a tragic incident in Malda. In the Srirampur Gram Panchayat of Habibpur block, a woman named Rani Soren from Ranjitpur village had to be carried to Bulbulchandi Hospital on a makeshift bamboo stretcher after falling ill with diarrhoea. She returned home in the same manner, and images of her journey went viral, drawing public outrage.
After her condition deteriorated again, the administration rushed her to Malda Medical College, but she died on Tuesday, highlighting once again the dire state of rural healthcare and transport infrastructure.
Dr Majumdar was on his way to attend the PM-Kisan scheme’s 20th instalment disbursal programme at the Jalpaiguri Krishi Vigyan Kendra, part of a national event held in Varanasi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually transferred Rs 20,500 crore to over 9.7 crore farmers.
The event also marked the launch of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A Tree in Mother’s Name) initiative.
“On my way from Siliguri, local party workers met me and conveyed their best wishes. I am deeply touched by their affection and sincerity,” said the minister.