India News | Several Priests Join TMC Days After Honorarium Announcement

Burdwan (WB), Sep 20 (PTI) A large number of priests joined the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal's East Burdwan district on Sunday, days after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a monthly honorarium for them.

At least 68 priests, including some from the temple of the presiding deity of Burdwan town -- Sarbamangala Mandir -- joined the party.

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District TMC vice-president Arup Das and district Trinamool Youth Congress president Rashbehari Haldar welcomed the priests to the party at a programme here.

Under frequent attacks by the opposition for "minority appeasement", Banerjee announced a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 and free housing for over 8,000 Hindu priests in the state ahead of the Assembly election, which is likely to be held in April-May next year.

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Asked whether their joining the TMC was influenced by the chief minister's announcement, a few of the priests said no other political party had ever thought about their interests.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)