Bengal CM Exposes Misuse of Women's Welfare Scheme by TMC Leaders
Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has exposed serious allegations against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders for misappropriating funds from the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, designed to aid women. This revelation comes amid ongoing corruption claims against the party following a significant electoral defeat. The situation escalated when bundles of cash were found near a TMC office, providing the BJP with new grounds to criticize the TMC. Rakibul Sheikh, a TMC leader, admitted to exploiting the scheme, claiming he was unaware of the funds being deposited into his account. This scandal raises questions about the integrity of the TMC and its welfare initiatives.
May 28, 2026, 13:32 IST
Allegations of Misappropriation in TMC's Welfare Scheme
A well-known saying goes that a thief accuses another thief. Recently, Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari revealed that male leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have been unlawfully benefiting from the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, which is intended for women. In a surprising twist, one of these leaders blamed his own party for the alleged fraud. This embarrassment for the TMC comes at a time when the party is facing daily allegations of corruption following a significant electoral defeat.
In another incident, bundles of cash exceeding ₹2 crores were discovered buried in a field near a TMC office. Such revelations have provided the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with fresh ammunition to attack the TMC.
TMC Leaders Exploit Women's Financial Aid
Under the previous government led by Mamata Banerjee, the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme was designed to provide eligible women with ₹1,500 monthly directly into their bank accounts, while women from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe backgrounds received ₹1,700. The BJP has promised to double this amount to ₹3,000. However, the Chief Minister pointed out that the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme is riddled with irregularities, resulting in nearly 30 lakh beneficiaries being deemed ineligible. He cited the example of TMC leader Rakibul Sheikh from the Radharghat Gram Panchayat in Murshidabad, who has been receiving ₹1,500 monthly for the past three years. Suvendu stated that such fraudulent activities occurred due to a lack of verification. This revelation sparked significant media interest, leading journalists to reach out to Rakibul, who is also a businessman. It was discovered that he had been regularly receiving ₹1,500 under the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme since 2023, and his wife was also a beneficiary.
TMC Leader Admits to Party's Corruption
Facing questions from the media, a visibly anxious Rakibul attempted to shift the narrative. In a move that embarrassed the TMC, he attributed the corruption and fraud to his own party. According to a report by a local media outlet, Rakibul stated that the previous TMC government was corrupt, and they took advantage of it. The TMC leader, who has since been detained, claimed he was initially unaware of how money began to appear in his account. He mentioned that he had informed the Block Development Officer (BDO), but no action was taken. Furthermore, he revealed that party colleagues had advised him to accept the money as it came, stating there was no issue with it.