FM Nirmala Sitharaman slams Bengal govt over law and order, says state run by 'bomb culture'

FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

• Sitharaman criticized West Bengal's governance and fuel pricing in Lok Sabha.
• She supported the new Dankuni-Surat freight corridor as a fresh initiative.
• Union Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 17.1 lakh crore for capital expenditure

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a scathing critique of the West Bengal government during her reply to the Union Budget 2026-27 debate in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, accusing the state of governance failures and responding sharply to remarks made by Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee.

The Finance Minister took issue with Banerjee's comments about GST, particularly his claim that the tax was levied even after death to light an incense stick. "In Bengal GST after death is a very sad thing to say," Sitharaman remarked, adding that "maybe cut money after death is a norm in the state."

Sitharaman also challenged the state government on fuel pricing, questioning why petrol costs Rs 10 more in West Bengal. "If you want to reduce burden on common man in the state, why is petrol Rs 10 more expensive," she asked, directing her criticism at the Mamata Banerjee-led administration.

The Finance Minister did not hold back on matters of women's safety either, referencing the RG Kar rape case and other instances of sexual violence in the state. "It is ridiculous that a woman chief minister advised women not to come out at night else they would stand a risk to be raped," Sitharaman said.

Going further, she alleged a complete breakdown of governance in the state. "Bengal is run by the bomb culture, not by law and order," she stated.

On infrastructure development, Sitharaman defended the Centre's proposal for a freight corridor from Dankuni to Surat, which had drawn criticism from Bengal leaders who claimed it was not a new initiative.

"We mentioned Dankuni in this Budget, because we want to have an east-west corridor, which will go from Dankuni to Surat. Leaders of Bengal are so pained with this that they say that when Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister, she had announced this and that we are not doing anything new…This is absolutely false," she said.

"I have announced new dedicated freight corridor from Dankuni to Surat. Mamata Banerjee had announced something from Ludhiana to Kolkata via Dankuni. Nothing came out of it. What I announced is new. So, do not attempt to hog credit in everything…" she added.

The Finance Minister's remarks came as she outlined key aspects of the Union Budget 2026-27. Effective capital expenditure for FY27, including support to states and union territories, stands at Rs 17.1 lakh crore, or 4.4% of GDP, aimed at advancing the goal of Viksit Bharat. Sitharaman also detailed the Centre's push on AI education, entrepreneurship, infrastructure expansion and industrial growth, stating that the government is willing to work with states on mega textile parks, skilling initiatives and logistics improvements.

The Lok Sabha began discussions on the Budget earlier this week. Sitharaman is expected to reply to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.