Nisith Pramanik claims there has been lack of development in North Bengal

After BJP State President Dilip Ghosh extended support to MoS John Barla over separate statehood of North Bengal last week, MoS for Home Nisith Pramanik on Tuesday claimed that there has been lack of development in North Bengal for years, hinting that separate statehood demands will be given importance if people want it.

“In democracy, people are the most important factor, and keeping in mind people's sentiments, appropriate decision will be taken,” Pramanik, who is MoS for Home Affairs, told media persons on Tuesday, asked about separate statehood demands for North Bengal.

The North Bengal region is deprived of the required development. The allocation for a flyover in Kolkata does not even match the allocation in North Bengal, the minister claimed.


“People’s sentiment is of prime importance to us and we will be supporting such as we are public representatives. There can be demand for separate statehood. How feasible is the demand reflects in people’s sentiments and we pay respect to that sentiments,” he added.

Responding to Pramanik’s reaction, Trinamool Congress spokesperson and state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said that Mamata Banerjee’s government has really worked hard for development of North Bengal. “Even as Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee connected North Bengal with South and rest of the country by initiating several railway projects. Pramanik’s claims are baseless. As a Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, visited North Bengal several times and inaugurated several developmental projects and he was always present during such developmental work,” Kunal Ghosh said.