Prayagraj: Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday said West Bengal’s development has stalled under the leadership of chief minister Mamata Banerjee and claimed that the eastern state, once compared with Maharashtra for progress, has now fallen behind.He held both the previous Communist govt and the current Trinamool Congress administration responsible for the slowdown. Maurya made these remarks during his second and final day in Prayagraj, where he chaired a review meeting on development projects at the Circuit House. During the session, he discussed the progress of various govt schemes with officials, met with party office-bearers and workers, and listened to grievances from the public, issuing directives to ensure their quick resolution. Before departing for Lucknow, the deputy CM addressed the media and targeted opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, alleging that their criticism stems from frustration at being out of power. He claimed that Mamata Banerjee is also witnessing the decline of her authority in West Bengal. Responding to attacks from Akhilesh Yadav, Maurya said the people of Uttar Pradesh would judge the allegations, recalling that in 2017 the electorate removed the Samajwadi Party from power in favour of development, and he expressed confidence that the SP’s return to power does not seem likely. On the Green Corridor project, Maurya criticised SP govt, asserting that development work was neglected during their tenure, leaving the public disappointed. He added that law and order was weak at the time, putting women and business owners at risk. Highlighting govt initiatives, he emphasised that large religious events such as the Kumbh Mela, Magh Mela and Kanwar Yatra are now being organised in a structured and safe manner, reflecting the administration’s active participation and commitment to public welfare.
