Kolkata: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman‘s distribution of weaver cards to handloom weavers in Bengal on Wednesday drew a model code violation complaint from Trinamool and a sharp rebuke from CM Mamata Banerjee.Sitharaman visited weavers in Serampore’s Ashram Para before travelling to Kalna in East Burdwan, where she distributed the cards — identity documents issued by the Union textiles ministry that entitle weavers to govt subsidies, raw material assistance and concessional MUDRA loans.She also addressed a cotton weavers’ conference organised by BJP’s handloom cell.Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee filed a complaint with the EC, alleging the distribution constituted “direct inducement” and an attempt to influence voters. “The act of distributing benefits is a direct attempt to unduly influence the free exercise of electoral rights,” he said. Banerjee called the timing a “direct and unequivocal breach” of the model code.The CM said she would appeal to the EC to take strong action against Sitharaman.BJP dismissed the complaint, saying the Pehchan Card scheme had been operational for years and that a portal for issuing e-Pehchan cards was launched last year.Bengal chief electoral officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal said his office was yet to receive a complaint. “Any MCC violation will lead to an inquiry. Until now, we have not received any such complaint. If we do, we will probe and send our report to EC to act on,” he added.Sitharaman, meanwhile, attacked Trinamool at a public meeting, alleging that several central welfare schemes had not reached Bengal’s people due to the state govt’s deliberate obstruction. “Your money was ready in Delhi, but the TMC govt has not allowed it to be spent here,” she said.
