Finance Minister's Weaver Card Initiative in Bengal Draws Political Fire
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's visit to West Bengal on Wednesday to distribute weaver cards to handloom artisans has ignited a political controversy, with the Trinamool Congress filing a model code of conduct violation complaint against her.
Card Distribution and Political Allegations
Sitharaman began her day in Serampore's Ashram Para, engaging with local weavers, before proceeding to Kalna in East Burdwan district. There, she personally distributed Pehchan Cards—official identity documents issued by the Union Textiles Ministry that enable weavers to access government subsidies, raw material assistance, and concessional loans under the MUDRA scheme.
The minister also addressed a conference organized by the BJP's handloom cell, focusing on cotton weavers' issues. However, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee swiftly filed a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging the card distribution constituted "direct inducement" to influence voters ahead of elections.
Political Reactions and Counterclaims
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded strongly, announcing she would appeal to the Election Commission to take stringent action against Sitharaman for the alleged violation. "This is a clear attempt to misuse government schemes for electoral gains," she asserted.
The BJP, however, dismissed the complaint as politically motivated. Party representatives emphasized that the Pehchan Card scheme has been operational for several years, with a portal for issuing e-Pehchan cards launched just last year. "This is a longstanding welfare program, not an election-time gimmick," a BJP spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal confirmed his office had not yet received any formal complaint. "Any MCC violation will lead to an inquiry. Until now, we have not received any such complaint. If we do, we will probe and send our report to EC to act on," he clarified.
Sitharaman's Counterattack on State Government
At a subsequent public meeting, Sitharaman launched a sharp critique against the Trinamool Congress government, accusing it of deliberately obstructing central welfare schemes from reaching Bengal's citizens. "Your money was ready in Delhi, but the TMC government has not allowed it to be spent here," she alleged, claiming several central initiatives had been blocked at the state level.
The finance minister's remarks highlighted the ongoing tension between the central BJP-led government and the state's ruling Trinamool Congress, with welfare schemes becoming a focal point of political contention. The weaver card distribution, intended to support traditional artisans, has now become embroiled in allegations of electoral misconduct, reflecting the heightened political atmosphere in the state.
