TMC MP from Cooch Behar, Jagadish Verma Basunia, has stirred a massive political hornet’s nest by labeling the state’s flagship ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ scheme as “alms from Mamata Banerjee.” Speaking at a rally in Petla, Basunia launched a scathing attack on women supporters of the BJP, questioning their integrity for accepting government benefits while voting for the opposition.

“BJP women are taking alms from Mamata Banerjee in the form of Lakshmir Bhandar. Don’t you feel ashamed while withdrawing that money from the bank? You should return it,” Basunia said. He further listed other schemes like Kanyashree and Krishak Bandhu, claiming that the BJP has contributed nothing to the state in the last decade except communal politics.

The BJP was quick to hit back. Cooch Behar BJP Vice President Biraj Basu asserted that these schemes are funded by taxpayers’ money and are not the “ancestral property” of any political leader. Taking the battle further, LoP Suvendu Adhikari and BJP State President Sukanta Majumdar have promised to double the allowance to ₹3,000 per month if the BJP comes to power. Currently, the state government provides ₹1,500 to general category women and ₹1,700 to SC/ST women under the scheme. This verbal spat highlights how social welfare schemes have become the ultimate battlefield for the upcoming political contest in Bengal.