West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The what has emerged as an unexpected twist in local politics, Samir Biswas—the BJP Panchayat Pradhan of Koniara Number One Gram Panchayat in the Bagda block of North 24 Parganas—publicly praised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s flagship programme, “Amader Para, Amader Samadhan” (“Our Neighbourhood, Our Solution”). Biswas attended one of the campaign’s local outreach camps held at the Karang FP School, where he expressed admiration for the scheme’s direct citizen-centric approach. He extended his gratitude to the Chief Minister for launching such an initiative, drawing a wave of reactions across party lines.

The outreach scheme, launched by Mamata Banerjee on August 2, 2025, aims to deliver essential civic services directly at the booth level—with an ambitious allocation of ₹10 lakh per booth, amounting to a total outlay of ₹8,000 crore. Within its inaugural days, over 600 camps sprang into action state-wide, and Chief Secretary Manoj Pant reported that localized problems ranging from streetlight repairs to drainage improvements were already being logged and addressed. 

Political commentators noted that Biswas’s commendation from a BJP leader stirred some discomfort within the party. While Biswas defended his praise, stating that public projects should be appreciated regardless of political affiliations—and that it was the duty of elected representatives to ensure taxpayers' money is used effectively—other BJP leaders emphasized that his remarks were personal and not reflective of party policy. Response to Biswas’s commendation, a local Trinamool Congress leader applauded him for acknowledging governance progress and remarked that sometimes “the truth shines through beyond partisan lines.” This moment highlights how the Amader Para, Amader Samadhan campaign is resonating beyond party boundaries, portraying it as a genuinely people's-first initiative rather than a political manoeuvre.