A political row has erupted in West Bengal over the ‘Yuva Sathi’ scheme following a controversial remark by TMC’s Maynaguri Town Block President, Biswajit Sen. In a viral video, Sen is purportedly heard telling party workers that the ₹1,500 monthly stipend announced by CM Mamata Banerjee will cover the “Gutkha expenses” of the youth.

The BJP was quick to lash out, with spokesperson Jagannath Chattopadhyay stating that the TMC wants the youth of Bengal to remain addicted while the government avoids providing permanent jobs. In response, the TMC has dismissed the video as a “fake” created using AI technology by the BJP to malign the scheme. Under the Yuva Sathi project, unemployed youths aged 21 to 40 will receive ₹1,500 per month starting April 1.