Bengal Assembly Sees Fiery Clash Over 'Humpty Dumpty' Budget Remark
The West Bengal legislative assembly descended into chaos on Friday as a political storm erupted over Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "Humpty Dumpty" barb directed at the Union Budget. The controversy intensified when BJP MLA and noted economist Ashok Lahiri repurposed the term to question the financial prudence of the state's own vote-on-account budget, triggering a sharp confrontation between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP.
Lahiri's Critique and Allegations of Electoral Motives
Ashok Lahiri, in a pointed critique, argued that the state's interim budget, presented with an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in a few months, had created an unsustainable imbalance between revenue and expenditure. He characterized the budget's generous allocations to welfare schemes as a "Humpty Dumpty" approach—implying a fragile and precarious financial structure. Lahiri specifically demanded transparency regarding 94 state-run schemes, seeking details on funding sources, structural frameworks, and measures to prevent embezzlement.
"If they claim to work for 'ma-mati-manush' (mother, soil, and people), then why not elaborate?" Lahiri questioned, emphasizing the need for substantive discussion over political rhetoric.
Bhattacharya's Retort and Accusations of Double Standards
State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya launched a vigorous defense, accusing the BJP of "double standards." She highlighted that while the BJP criticized Bengal's schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar as mere doles, it later attempted to replicate similar initiatives in states under its governance. Bhattacharya pointed out inconsistencies, noting that schemes such as Ladli Behna were discontinued elsewhere, and in Bihar, beneficiaries received payments only once, whereas Bengal has sustained its welfare programs over years.
Seizing on Lahiri's "Humpty Dumpty" analogy, Bhattacharya delivered a sharp retort: "I don't know whether, despite being an economist, Ashok Lahiri reads in Bengali and writes in English." Reciting the nursery rhyme, she accused him of misleading the assembly by claiming the government had failed to bring development in 15 years. She asserted that welfare spending is essential for a welfare state like India, boosting the economy by enhancing purchasing power at the micro level, and cited that 1.7 crore people have been lifted out of poverty in Bengal during this period.
BJP Walkout and Allegations of Personal Attacks
The situation escalated during Bhattacharya's speech when BJP legislators, led by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, staged a walkout in protest. They raised slogans such as "shame, shame" and "won't tolerate insult to Bengalis," alleging that the finance minister had insulted Lahiri's reputation and standing. The protest continued in the assembly portico, with MLAs decrying the tone of the debate.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Lahiri expressed disappointment, stating: "Well-scripted sarcasms are always welcome in parliamentary democracy. But here, they stoop to levels of casting slurs and meting out personal attacks instead of indulging in substantive and meaningful discussions. They were made in poor taste and were indecent and uncivilised."
Apology and Political Fallout
Suvendu Adhikari extended an apology to Lahiri, acknowledging the ignominy he faced. "The govt won't apologise for what it said, but as a senior member of this House, I tender my apology to you for the ignominy you suffered," Adhikari said. He attributed the government's hostility to Lahiri's exposure of what he called the "hollowness" of the budget and its alleged role in damaging the state's economy.
The incident underscores the deepening political rift in Bengal, with welfare schemes and budgetary accountability becoming flashpoints ahead of the elections. Both parties are leveraging economic arguments to bolster their narratives, setting the stage for further confrontations in the assembly.
