Kolkata Metro New Sections Launch Ignites Political Credit War
The recent inauguration of new sections of the Kolkata Metro has sparked a fierce political credit war in West Bengal, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) all vying to claim responsibility for the infrastructure project. The verbal sparring between the political parties underscores the high stakes of infrastructure development as a political tool in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming elections.
The new sections of the Kolkata Metro, which were inaugurated on November 24, 2022, have been touted as a major achievement by the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government. The project has been in the works for several years, with the TMC government allocating a significant amount of funds towards its development. The new sections of the Metro, which stretch for over 10 kilometers, are expected to reduce travel time and improve connectivity for commuters in the city.
However, the BJP, which has been trying to make inroads in West Bengal, has been quick to claim credit for the project. The party’s national president, J.P. Nadda, tweeted that the BJP government at the Centre had approved the project and provided significant funding for its development. The BJP’s claim has been met with skepticism by the TMC, which has accused the party of trying to take credit for the project without providing any concrete support.
The CPI(M), which has been a long-time critic of the TMC government, has also jumped into the fray. The party has accused the TMC of using the Metro project as a tool to gain political mileage ahead of the elections. The CPI(M) has claimed that the project was actually conceived during its tenure in power in the state and that the TMC government has only implemented it after years of delay.
The political credit war over the Kolkata Metro project has significant implications for the upcoming elections in West Bengal. The state is set to go to the polls in 2023, and infrastructure development has emerged as a key issue in the campaign. The TMC government has been touting its achievements in the field of infrastructure development, including the Kolkata Metro project, as a major success story. However, the BJP and the CPI(M) are trying to portray the project as a failure, citing delays and cost overruns.
The high stakes of infrastructure development as a political tool in West Bengal are not new. The state has a long history of political instability, and infrastructure development has often been used as a tool to win votes and gain political mileage. The TMC government has been accused of using infrastructure development projects to buy votes and appease its supporters. The BJP, on the other hand, has been trying to portray itself as a more competent and efficient alternative, and infrastructure development is a key area where it is trying to make a difference.
The political credit war over the Kolkata Metro project has also raised questions about the accountability of the TMC government. The project has been plagued by delays and cost overruns, and many critics have accused the government of mismanaging the project. The TMC government has responded by accusing the BJP and the CPI(M) of trying to politicize the issue and distract from its own failures.
In conclusion, the recent inauguration of new sections of the Kolkata Metro has ignited a fierce political credit war in West Bengal. The TMC, BJP, and CPI(M) are all vying to claim responsibility for the project, with significant implications for the upcoming elections. The high stakes of infrastructure development as a political tool in West Bengal underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in the state’s governance.
Source: https://thecsrjournal.in/kolkata-metro-project-overshadowed-political-maneuvering/
