Jobs, corruption, SIR | Mahua Moitra on the Mamata mandate

2 months ago 31

#Sir #westbengal #westbengalsir With voting in West Bengal less than two weeks away, questions abound as to whether the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise will hurt the incumbent Trinamool Congress’s (TMC) chances. Concerns are mounting over the reported targeting of Muslim-dominated constituencies where the party has historically been strong. At the same time, the party’s 15-year governance record is under scrutiny, particularly its delivery on jobs, economic growth and social welfare. To answer these questions, Sreenivasan Jain spoke to senior party leader and Member of Parliament for Krishnanagar, Mahua Moitra, in this in-depth interview. Moitra labels the SIR of electoral rolls as the “largest mass disenfranchisement of India's voters that we have ever seen.” She highlights the “Kafka-esque” creation of “Logical Discrepancies” (LD) – artificial parameters such as mismatches in name spelling or having more than six siblings – to flag 60 lakh voters for adjudication. “These are single-digit IQ people,” she says of the BJP, accusing them of using the administrative machinery at their disposal to target Muslim-majority districts like Murshidabad and Malda to fit a “Ghuspetiya narrative” that, she claims, the data doesn't support. When asked if she’s worried whether the SIR exercise will hurt their poll prospects, she says, “We are coming to power. The people of Bengal are with Mamata Banerjee. Take it from me. Save this video.” Pressed on the accuracy of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee’s claim that her government created 2 crore jobs over the past 15 years, Mahua Moitra defends the figure, attributing it to growth in the state’s MSME sector. Sreenivasan Jain counters by pointing to Banerjee’s own admission that 84 lakh youth have registered for the Yuba Sathi allowance (Rs 1,500 a month for those aged 21 to 40) suggesting a far more precarious employment landscape. Moitra attributes this to “double-counting” of informal sector workers who may also apply for the scheme, a defence that, in turn, raises questions about the quality of jobs under TMC rule. While she acknowledges a shift in budget priorities, with education spending falling to 15 percent of the state budget, Mahua Moitra blames the Centre, alleging it has withheld Rs 2 lakh crore in MNREGA and other scheme dues. Sreenivasan Jain counters that the state is spending nearly as much as its entire education budget on the Lakshmi Bhandar direct benefit transfer scheme. On corruption, Moitra contrasts the TMC’s removal of Partha Chatterjee, a former minister accused in the teacher recruitment scam, with the BJP’s protection of its own, citing alleged references to Hardeep Singh Puri in the Epstein Files. “We’re not that shameless,” she argues, criticising the “washing machine” effect where defectors are “whitewashed” of charges. Dismissing central raids as political “nonsense,” she remains defiant: “If you've got something, prove it.” Watch this interview. Subscribe to Newslaundry: https://rzp.io/rzp/nlsm Power our election coverage: https://rzp.io/rzp/zTQadhQFFT Unpack story behind bulldozers in Kashi: https://rzp.io/rzp/nl6yv82bk Join the #FightToBreathe: https://rzp.io/rzp/T4Ob0FCb Download the accessible Newslaundry app: https://www.newslaundry.com/download-app Join us on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va61PEo0QeacOqU9vr2k Follow and engage with us on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/newslaundry Twitter: https://twitter.com/newslaundry Instagram: https://instagram.com/newslaundry

The Vision and Mission of Upilink News - Empowering Informed Citizens

Welcome to Upilink News, your gateway to unbiased news, investigative journalism, and a platform free from government censorship. At Upilink, we believe in the power of information to empower citizens, fostering a well-informed society capable of making informed decisions.

Our platform, hosted at www.news.upilink.in, is meticulously curated to provide users with a reliable source of news, steering clear of propaganda and ensuring the delivery of objective reporting.

The Need for Upilink News

In an era where information is abundant but often tainted with bias and misinformation, the need for a trustworthy news source has never been more critical. Upilink News recognizes this necessity and strives to fill the gap by offering a carefully curated selection of news from diverse, reputable sources.

Our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism distinguishes us as a beacon of truth in the digital news landscape.

Our Unique Approach

What sets Upilink News apart is our meticulous selection process for news sources.

We prioritize transparency, accountability, and reliability in our curation, ensuring that only the most credible and unbiased reports make it to our platform.

Our team of experienced journalists and fact-checkers work tirelessly to sift through the noise and present users with news that stands up to scrutiny.

The Role of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is at the heart of Upilink News. We understand that a well-functioning democracy relies on an informed citizenry, and investigative reporting plays a pivotal role in uncovering the truth. By supporting and promoting investigative journalism, we aim to contribute to a more transparent and accountable society.

Sustaining Upilink News - Your Support Matters

Free Access for All

At Upilink News, we firmly believe that access to information should be a fundamental right for everyone. Therefore, our platform is entirely free to use, allowing users from all walks of life to stay informed without any financial barrier.

Donations - Fueling Independent Journalism

To sustain our commitment to unbiased reporting and investigative journalism, we rely on the generosity of our users. Your donations go directly towards supporting our team, maintaining our infrastructure, and enabling us to continually improve and expand our coverage.

By contributing, you become a vital part of the Upilink community, driving the mission to keep information free and accessible.

Advertisement - Balancing Sustainability

In addition to donations, we embrace advertisements as a means of generating revenue to support Upilink News.

In conclusion, Upilink News is more than just a news aggregator; it's a commitment to empowering citizens through unbiased information.

Join us in our mission, explore the diverse and credible news on our platform, and consider supporting us through donations. Together, let's build a community that values truth, transparency, and the power of an informed citizenry.