Mamata Banerjee's Pre-Election Masterstroke: DA Arrears & $6 Monthly Hike for Hindu Priests, Muslim Callers to Prayer Dominate ABP Ananda Debates
Kolkata is buzzing, and if you've been scrolling through ABP Ananda today, you know Didi just pulled off a political masterstroke. Exactly one hour before the Election Commission was set to drop the election schedule, Mamata Banerjee dropped not one, but two major announcements that have got everyone from North Bengal to the Sundarbans talking.
It was around 2:40 PM when she tweeted the first news: a $6 monthly hike for Hindu priests and Muslim callers to prayer. Effective immediately, these spiritual leaders—the ones who perform prayers at your local temple and give the call to prayer from the mosque—will now get about $24 instead of $18. She made it clear it's not just about the money; it's about honouring the people who hold our communities together. And she also cleared all pending applications, so many more families will benefit.
Then, barely 20 minutes later, came the real thunderbolt: the province is finally clearing the ROPA 2009 DA arrears. Hundreds of thousands of government employees, teachers, panchayat workers, and municipal staff have been waiting years for this. The notifications are out, and payments will start hitting bank accounts from March 2026 itself.
Timing That Leaves You Speechless
Let's be honest—this wasn't an accident. For weeks, every channel has been filled with election chatter. The BJP had been promising the moon, with Amit Shah himself saying they'd bring the 7th Pay Commission within 45 days if they win. And just when everyone thought the TMC was on the defensive, Didi pulls this out of the hat.
By clearing the DA arrears—a demand that even went to the Supreme Court—she has won over a massive voting bloc overnight. These aren't just employees; they're fathers, mothers, and neighbours in every riding. And by linking it to her "Ma-Mati-Manush" (Mother, Land, People) government, she's framed it not as a panic move, but as a promise kept.
More Than Just Numbers: A Message to Every Bengali
The $6 hike for religious leaders is pure genius. It speaks directly to the heart of Bengal's social fabric. The province has been supporting Hindu priests since 2020 and imams since 2012, but raising it right before the election code of conduct kicks in sends a clear signal: this government cares about every tradition, every community.
Here's why everyone is glued to their screens right now:
- The employees finally win: After three years of protests and court cases, provincial staffers can finally breathe easy. They were stuck on the 6th Pay Commission while the rest of India moved on—now that's fixed.
- Hindus and Muslims together: By simultaneously increasing honorariums for priests and callers to prayer, Didi reinforces the inclusive narrative that has always been her strength.
- A pre-election knockout: With the EC announcement looming, the opposition is left scrambling. How do you counter a government that just put cash in people's pockets?
I've been watching the on-the-ground reports on ABP Ananda, and the reaction is electric. In the districts, from Malda to Jhargram, people are discussing this at tea stalls. It feels like the election campaign has just exploded—not with a rally, but with a few tweets from the CM's office.
The next few days are going to be wild. With the election schedule now officially out, every move will be analyzed. If you want the real pulse of Bengal—not the spin from Delhi, but the real on-the-ground reality—keep it locked here. This is just the opening act in what promises to be a thrilling fight for the province.