TMC Leader Jitendra Tiwari Alleges That Mamata Govt Blocked Rs 2,000 Crore Central Funds For Asansol, Skips Key Meet

Trinamool Congress’ Asansol MLA Jitendra Tiwari has alleged that the state government has not allowed the Asansol Municipal Corporation central funds worth Rs 2,000 crore for the smart city project due to political reasons, Hindustan Times reports.

Tiwari, former mayor of the city, even refused a meeting with urban development minister Firhad Hakim in Kolkata on Tuesday evening. Tiwari insisted in a confidential letter to Hakim (that got leaked) that he will only meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the issue.

He even claimed to have written to the cabinet minister regarding the matter at least five times in the past. The 41-year-old has also apprised the higher education department of his intention to resign from the governing body of two local colleges.

“I am very aggrieved to state that our city was chosen by the Ministry of urban development, Government of India, under Smart City Mission project which if would have been allowed by you, our city could have received funds amounting Rs 2,000 crore which would be very crucial for development of the city due to political reasons we were not allowed to get benefits from it by the state government,” the MLA wrote in the letter.

There is a speculation that Tiwari might leave the TMC ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections. Two councilors considered close to him wrote posts on social media praising the party’s notable leader Suvendu Adhikari as news surfaced of him leaving the party to join BJP this weekend. The party has reportedly informed Tiwari that CM Banerjee will meet him on December 18 as she is in a tour of north Bengal currently.