Will never support politics of ‘riots & chaos’: Mamata
Times of India | 21 May 2025
Kolkata/Siliguri: Reiterating that she would never support the "politics of riot and chaos", CM Mamata Banerjee said at Fulbari on Tuesday: "I want peace. Some people try to create division among people. I cannot accept such politics of division."The CM's statement came a month after protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent at Murshidabad's Dhuliyan and Shamsherganj."Those who indulge in riots do not want people to prosper. Riots destroy lives and houses. Political players find scope for indulging in politics. I don't want riots. I want peace, harmony, devotion and well-being. I want every Bengal household to be filled with prosperity," she said at a public distribution programme near Siliguri.Banerjee also urged people to not believe everything on social media. "On social networks, fake news is rampant. You should be alert and discard such information," she said.Bringing up tea garden workers, the CM said Trinamool govt would continue to stand by them, and asked them not to fall for false claims of development and doles by BJP."A lot of people claim they will give you a lot of things, but why haven't they done so all these years? They are now claiming they will give benefits of the scheme, but they have not fulfilled the promises made before the polls. They did not do so in Mumbai, Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan. They make certain claims before elections and then they forget about them, whereas we deliver on our promises. We promised four social welfare schemes, and we fulfilled the same.If I give my word, I keep it," Banerjee said.A total of 365 projects across three districts, with a value of Rs 2,505 crore, were announced. Additionally, foundation stones for 134 projects, with an estimated value of Rs 189.4 crore, were laid.The CM announced that state govt had successfully transferred Rs 1.2 lakh each to 12 lakh poor households from its own funds under the Banglar Bari scheme."As we promised, the first instalment, amounting to Rs 7,200 crore, was disbursed last December. Today, the second instalment of 50% of the money started being directly credited to bank accounts. We will also build houses for another 16 lakh eligible families. They will receive their first instalment in Dec and the second instalment in May 2026," she said.Banerjee also raised questions on money collected by Centre from the state. "The central govt implemented a single tax system across the country for goods and services, known as GST. But then they collect mutation fees from industrialists, and taxes are levied even when vehicles are on the road. These cannot be collected any more. We will not tolerate this. There has to be only one tax; there cannot be two taxes simultaneously.How much more money do they need?" she said.