New Delhi [India], August 22 : Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Friday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her remarks on the Kolkata Metro expansion, terming her "nostalgia" was nothing but a "desperate attempt" to steal credit for the projects that languished under her watch.
In a post on social media platform X, Adhikari alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led government had tried to derail the Sealdah-Esplanade stretch of the East-West Metro and accused her administration of non-cooperation and inefficiency.
"Your 'nostalgia' is nothing but a desperate attempt to steal credit for projects that languished under your watch. As Railways Minister in the corrupt UPA era, you may have got some blueprints sketched, but they collected dust for years due to the UPA Government's infamous delays, and the non-cooperation of the WB Govt since you became Chief Minister," Adhikari posted.
"Land acquisition failures and outright non-cooperation by your Administration have plagued the timely execution of these projects. Remember the Sealdah-Esplanade stretch of the East-West Metro, how your Govt tried to botch up the project completely? It was stalled repeatedly because of your Administration's inefficiencies and non-cooperation, turning what should have been a progressive transportation model into a decade-long embarrassment for West Bengal," the post further read.
Citing a recent example, the LoP further stated that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) required for temporary traffic diversion at Chingrighata Junction under the New Garia-Airport Metro Corridor is still pending with the state government.
"I would like to remind you about a most recent example of non cooperation:- On New Garia-Airport Metro Corridor (Orange Line), launching of viaduct at Chingrighata Junction is required and all arrangements for temporary traffic diversion have been made in consultation with Kolkata Police, but the NOC from the Govt. of West Bengal for executing this stretch is still pending for months," Adhikari wrote.
He added that, "not even a personal letter from the Hon'ble Railway Minister, Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji, in this regard, has been able to persuade you."
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Adhikari said railway funding for West Bengal had significantly increased, helping revive and complete key projects.
"Fast forward to the era of the @narendramodi Govt:- Railway funding for West Bengal has been tripled from an average of ₹4,380 crore under UPA to ₹13,955 crore this year alone, which is aiding the revival and completion of these vital projects at record speed. At present, works of Rs. 83,765 crores are in progress in West Bengal," he said.
The BJP leader further said that while PM Modi was delivering world-class connectivity, Mamata Banerjee had "hidden behind excuses" and "boycotted" the inauguration like a "sore loser".
"Hon'ble PM is delivering world-class connectivity, including the Noapara-Jai Hind Bimanbandar, Sealdah-Esplanade, and Beleghata-Hemanta Mukhopadhyay routes, while you hide behind excuses and boycott the inauguration like a sore loser. Your contribution? A big fat zero. You have suddenly woken up from your slumber, realising that today onwards Kolkata is going to witness World Class Metro Connectivity, which will be compatible with the Kolkata Circular Railway and enhance connectivity & convenience of the commuters trying to reach the Airport and the major Railway Stations," Adhikari added.
Adhikari further stated in his post that West Bengal deserved a better government than the one that made "false claims."
"Bengal deserves better than your false claims, Bengal deserves Modi's vision and action," he wrote in his post.
His remarks came after West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee posted on X earlier in the day, highlighting her past contributions to the expansion of the Kolkata Metro. The post came on the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kolkata to inaugurate three new metro services in the city.
Furthermore, the CM also did not attend the Prime Minister's unveiling of the infrastructure projects, including the three metro services in Kolkata.