West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the central government following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, February 1. The fiery leader accused the Centre of failing to release crucial funds for her state while dismissing key infrastructure announcements as deceptive.
Budget Announcements Meet Fierce Opposition
During her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined ambitious transportation projects including seven high-speed rail corridors and new dedicated freight corridors. One proposed high-speed rail corridor would connect Varanasi to Siliguri, while a freight corridor would link West Bengal's Dangkuni in the east to Gujarat's Surat in the west.
'Garbage of Lies' - Mamata's Blunt Assessment
Mamata Banerjee responded with characteristic bluntness, calling the Centre's claims about three corridors "absolutely garbage of lies" and "blatant lies." She emphasized that West Bengal has already announced six economic corridors that will crisscross the state, suggesting the central government was merely repackaging existing initiatives.
"They announced three corridors, we have already announced six economic corridors...which will be covered cross the state," Banerjee stated. "What they said about the three corridors is absolutely garbage (full) of lies. Blatant lies. It is already in process, and we have started working there."
Funding Dispute Takes Center Stage
The West Bengal Chief Minister raised serious concerns about financial allocations, alleging that the Centre has not provided any substantial funding to her state. She specifically mentioned the Jangalmahal Jangal Sundari project in Purulia, which she claimed would see investments worth ₹72,000 crores for economic corridor development.
"They have not given a single paisa to Bengal. Only one tax is there, GST," Mamata Banerjee asserted. "They are taking away our money and saying big things that they are giving us money. It is our money...So, they don't have any moral authority to run the government and finish the country like this."
Broader Accusations Against the Centre
Banerjee expanded her criticism beyond budget specifics, accusing the central government of attempting to undermine the nation's economic and constitutional frameworks. She claimed the government "wants to destroy the economic structure of the country, the Constitutional structure of this country, the independent agencies."
The Chief Minister also criticized what she perceived as empty rhetoric from the Centre, stating, "They talk too much but do less work... What they do? Only they use some jugglery of words... You have to give the advantage to the people who are common, people can enjoy the facilities."
Budget Details and Political Context
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget, making history with this achievement. Her budget speech emphasized sustainable development, with proposals for "environmentally sustainable movement of cargo" through new dedicated freight corridors and "environmentally sustainable passenger systems" through high-speed rail networks.
The political timing is significant as West Bengal prepares for Legislative Assembly elections later this year. The budget announcements and subsequent reactions highlight the ongoing tension between the state government and the Centre, with infrastructure development and funding becoming key battleground issues.
Sitharaman's proposed high-speed rail corridors include connections between major cities: Mumbai to Pune, Pune to Hyderabad, Hyderabad to Bengaluru, Hyderabad to Chennai, Chennai to Bengaluru, Delhi to Varanasi, and Varanasi to Siliguri. These projects are positioned as "growth connectors" intended to boost economic development across regions.
