The post-election legislative session serves as the ultimate crucible in a parliamentary democracy, transforming campaign rhetoric into concrete accountability. In the wake of a significant transition ending 15 years of the anti-people TMC government in West Bengal, the state assembly has emerged as the primary arena for a rigorous assessment of the incoming BJP administration's strategic plans. Mustafizur Rahman (Rana), the representative from the CPI(M) for the Domkal constituency, provided two incisive contributions during the Assembly proceedings. Adapting swiftly to his position as an observant critic, Rahman scrutinised the Governor’s address and analysed the economic projections of the 2026-27 State Budget. His commentary highlighted a substantial gap between the administration's public-facing "populist mask" and the sobering fiscal challenges currently confronting West Bengal.

CRITIQUE OF THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS

Speaking on the Governor’s address, Mustafizur Rahman (Rana) initiated his legislative intervention by reminding the House of parliamentary conventions. Rahman emphasised that the Governor’s opening address is supposed to be a sacred five-year blueprint detailing the state's vision for education, healthcare, and law and order. While stating that reading the address initially felt like entering a "world of dreams," he firmly reminded the treasury benches that as an opposition lawmaker sworn to the Constitution, his duty was to ensure these dreams translated into reality rather than remaining mere platitudes.

Avoiding unproductive verbal duels, Rahman prioritised the 17 amendments that were accepted from the 26 he originally proposed, using them to highlight critical systemic failures. He voiced significant disappointment and deep regret regarding the Governor's address for its total omission of legal safeguards for Bargadars (sharecroppers) and the fundamental rights of landless workers. Characterising the state of public education and healthcare as a system driven to the brink of collapse over the last 15 years, he challenged the entire assembly to make its revival a priority. In particular, he drew the education minister's attention to the dismal infrastructural decay of MSK (Madhyamik Shiksha Kendra) and SSK (Shiksha Sahayaka Kendra) institutions.

Rahman further demanded that the government honour the promises outlined in the election manifesto regarding salary hikes for SACT (State Aided College Teachers), and full-time, part-time, and guest lecturers. He flagged the government's silence on the poor honorariums given to vocational teachers, village legislative experts (VLEs), and contract-based panchayat tax collectors. 

Directing his parliamentary scrutiny towards the academic arena, Rahman delivered a blistering condemnation of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad — the student wing of the former regime. He charged its affiliates with monopolising campus unions and ruthlessly suppressing democratic expression throughout their 15-year tenure, ultimately demanding the prompt reinstatement of transparent, fiercely contested collegiate elections.

Emphasizing the challenges in Murshidabad, Rahman contended that reintegrating returning migrant labourers requires significant capital support for struggling cottage industries, including silk, weaving, traditional brass (kansa), and Domkal's distinct conch-shell (shankha) trade. He warned that enforcement actions regarding illegal immigrants must not intimidate rightful Indian citizens. He also censured the government for its lack of transparent data regarding deportations. Finally, pointing out the ideal of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," he urged the immediate creation of an ITI college in Domkal — a heavily populated minority area — to empower the marginalised youth through technical education.

DEFICIT-RIDDEN ECONOMY

While giving his reaction to journalists about the budget, Rahman transitioned to the state's fiscal framework by presenting a rigorous macroeconomic evaluation of the 2026-27 Budget. He notably characterized the budget proposal as "an empty shell hidden behind a populist, wish-fulfilling mask." He argued that the budget is entirely devoid of any concrete road map to achieve economic self-reliance or boost the state's internal revenue generation.

In discussions both inside and outside the assembly, Rahman laid bare the terrifying debt trap gripping West Bengal. He pointed out that the state’s total debt burden, which stood at ₹1,92,919.91 crore in 2011, has exponentially skyrocketed to an astronomical ₹7,62,326.61 crore. Instead of offering a structural solution to this crisis, the current budget merely relies on three shaky pillars: market borrowings, state excise duties, and the hope of central assistance. Rahman noted with irony that the government expects to pocket ₹24,922.40 crore solely from state excise (liquor sales), proving that the new dispensation is walking down the exact same regressive path as its predecessor. Furthermore, he warned that the projected ₹1,285 crore increase in electricity duty collection would ultimately break the back of the common taxpayer.

In a sharp critique of the state's fiscal planning, the lawmaker exposed a series of alarming budget cuts across critical priority sectors, arguing that these reductions directly contradict the government's public rhetoric on inclusive development. A major point of contention was the drastic fiscal reduction within the department of minority affairs and madrassa education. The allocation for this sector was slashed by ₹3,548.19 crore, plummeting to ₹2,165.42 crore from the previous year’s benchmark of ₹5,713.61 crore. Critics argue that stalling funds of this magnitude severely undermines educational infrastructure and social integration initiatives designed for minority communities, widening the gap between executive promises and grassroots reality.

Equally controversial was the brutal funding reduction aimed at marginalized populations, specifically within the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) Welfare departments. The administration reduced funding for these communities by nearly ₹4,474.04 crore, leaving the department with a mere ₹3,744.17 crore to execute its statewide socio-economic programmes. This contraction raises serious concerns regarding the continuity of scholarships, community development projects, and poverty alleviation schemes tailored for historically underprivileged groups, suggesting a stark shift away from equitable resource distribution.

Beyond social welfare, the lawmaker highlighted extensive institutional neglect across basic infrastructure and environmental protection. Funding for vital civic sectors—including water supply, housing, and urban development—was collectively systematically reduced by nearly ₹8,000 crore. Furthermore, a ₹600 crore cut in irrigation and flood control drew intense local criticism, particularly from representatives of vulnerable districts like Malda and Murshidabad. He argued that this specific reduction effectively abandons residents to the seasonal horrors of riverbank erosion and displacement. Compounding these structural concerns, the budgetary allocation for environmental conservation was labelled as pitifully negligent, a stance deemed highly irresponsible given the accelerating challenges of the global climate crisis.

While Rahman welcomed the marginal increase in monthly stipends for ICDS, ASHA, and mid-day meal workers, and appreciated the ₹500 hike in disability pensions, he urged the government to match the manifesto promise of doubling it. He concluded his address by highlighting the budget's absolute silence on the job security of vocational trainers, state transport corporation (CSTC, STC, WSTC) mechanical staff, and the thousands of TET (Teacher Eligibility Test) candidates currently trapped in legal limbo due to corrupt recruitment legacies.

Rather than limiting his speech to partisan opposition, Rahman ended with a broad appeal. Recognising the sheer magnitude of the financial crisis inherited by the state, he urged the assembly to bypass partisan divides and unanimously pass a legislative resolution demanding a special financial package from the central government — akin to the federal packages granted to states like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh — to rescue West Bengal from the brink of bankruptcy.