Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticised state minister Agnimitra Paul over the incident involving an elderly woman who was stopped from heating milk for her grandson on a Park Street pavement.
Woman stopped from heating milk
The controversy erupted after a video showed Paul allegedly reprimanding the woman for heating milk on the pavement. Paul reportedly asked her to stop, citing the possibility of an accident, and also questioned where she lived.
The woman, who claimed that she had been living on the Park Street pavement for around 50 years, reportedly responded, “If I had a home, would I willingly live on the streets?”
The incident triggered criticism, with questions being raised over the manner in which the elderly woman was treated. Paul later posted a video message defending her action, saying that no child had been deprived of milk and that the woman had only been asked to move away from the spot. She also acknowledged that she perhaps should have explained the matter differently.
Mamata calls mother’s curse very powerful
Reacting to the controversy during a Facebook Live session on Monday, Mamata strongly criticised the incident and urged people not to look down on the poor. She said that the woman was preparing food for a small child and was helpless. Mamata questioned whether it was appropriate to ask her to throw away the milk and said, “A mother’s curse is a big curse.”
Mamata subsequently offered to take responsibility for the family if they agreed. She said she was willing to arrange accommodation for them at the home of one of her party workers and also take responsibility for the child’s education.
Mamata attacks BJP government over Annapurna Yojana
During the same address, Mamata also targeted the BJP-led state government over complaints regarding delayed or stopped payments under the Annapurna Yojana.
She referred to protests and road and railway blockades reported in several districts over beneficiaries allegedly not receiving the promised financial assistance. She also criticised incidents involving BJP leaders and ministers being confronted by protesting women.
Mamata claimed that around 75% of women who had received benefits under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme before the Assembly elections had allegedly stopped receiving or were being denied the payments.
She alleged that although the BJP had made several promises before the 2026 Assembly elections, the government was now following a completely different approach.
Allegation of political vendetta
Mamata also accused the state government of focusing on filing cases against opposition political workers instead of ensuring that eligible women receive benefits under the Annapurna scheme.
She claimed that cases had been filed against around 15,000 to 20,000 Trinamool Congress workers and supporters.
According to Mamata, political vendetta was taking precedence over addressing complaints from ordinary women who were allegedly waiting for their promised financial assistance.
Mamata questions eligibility rules
Referring to the BJP’s election campaign, Mamata alleged that no stringent conditions had been highlighted when promises regarding the scheme were made before the elections.
She claimed that beneficiaries were now being asked to complete complicated forms and comply with various rules to receive the assistance.
Mamata also asserted that the BJP did not have the authority to decide who should or should not receive the benefits under the scheme.
Agnimitra Paul alleges political conspiracy
Meanwhile, amid protests over the Annapurna Yojana, state minister Agnimitra Paul has alleged that Trinamool Congress supporters are behind the demonstrations and are attempting to create unrest by provoking people.
Minister Dilip Ghosh has also criticised the previous government’s welfare approach, saying that providing benefits such as Lakshmir Bhandar on a large scale had made people dependent on such schemes.
