West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has addressed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking clarification on the purported deactivation of Aadhaar cards in her state. This move comes in the wake of Banerjee’s claims that the BJP-led Centre is engaging in the indiscriminate deactivation of Aadhaar cards, sparking concern among residents just ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Expressing her apprehensions in the letter, Banerjee questioned the motives behind the sudden and widespread deactivation of Aadhaar cards, querying whether it is an attempt to disenfranchise eligible beneficiaries or to instigate panic among the populace. She emphasized that her office has received numerous representations regarding this issue, highlighting the chaos and distress it has caused among West Bengal residents.
Banerjee’s concerns stem from allegations that the Aadhaar card deactivation is aimed at depriving individuals, particularly those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Communities (OBC), of the benefits under her government’s Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme. Despite these challenges, Banerjee assured that her administration remains committed to ensuring that beneficiaries receive their entitlements, even if they lack Aadhaar cards, affirming that no one will be left unassisted.
This development unfolds against a backdrop of heightened political tensions in West Bengal, with the BJP intensifying its criticism of Banerjee’s administration following allegations of mass rapes in Sandeshkhali, a stronghold of absconding Trinamool leader Shahjahan Sheikh.
West Bengal holds significant political significance, sending 42 members to the Lok Sabha, the third-highest representation after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. In the 2019 general elections, the BJP made significant gains in the state, securing 18 seats, while the Trinamool Congress (TMC) retained 22 seats, leaving two for the Congress.
As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, Banerjee’s letter to PM Modi underscores the growing tensions between the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP, setting the stage for a contentious electoral battle in the eastern state.
Sources By Agencies