Siliguri, January 19 (Siliguri Chronicle) – BJP MLA from Siliguri, Shankar Ghosh, on Monday announced that he will begin a hunger strike on January 22, alleging that hurdles are being created in the utilisation of MLA development funds.
Speaking at a press conference, Ghosh said the district administration has been delaying the release of funds on various grounds, hampering development work and denying residents access to basic facilities. He claimed that the issue had been repeatedly taken up both verbally and in writing with the district administration, the state government, the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority and the Siliguri Mayor, but without any response.
The MLA alleged that the funds were being deliberately withheld for political reasons, with the intention of damaging his image. According to him, development projects are being stalled to serve political interests instead of public welfare.
Reacting to the allegations, Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb dismissed the claims as baseless. He said observing a day-long fast is good for health and added that going on a hunger strike is a personal decision.
