Calling on people to stay united and reject the divisive forces, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said “the democratic rights of every individual must remain intact”.

Addressing people during the inauguration of a Jagaddhatri Puja at Burrabazar in Kolkata, the chief minister said, “The Constitution has laid down equal rights for all. The biggest religion is humanity. There are different kinds of people, but you will only be strong if you stay together. You will collapse the moment you are divided.”

“We celebrate all festivals – dhormo jaar jaar, utsav shobar. I have nothing to ask for. I only want the country and our state (West Bengal) to do well. I do not want any divide and rule,” she said.

“I believe that living together is the culture of our country and our state. We all have to live together,” she added.

During the programme, she also virtually had darshan of several Jagaddhatri Puja pandals in Chandannagar and Krishnanagar, and inaugurated an underground power cable line, commissioned by WBSEDCL, at a cost of Rs 120 crore.

“Now there will be no more overhead power connection in Chandannagar. Similar facilities should be introduced in Kolkata and other municipalities. Please expedite that,” she told Kolkata mayor and minister Firhad Hakim.

The CM also virtually inaugurated the 8th Darjeeling Saras Mela and praised self-help groups for their efforts, saying, “There are 12 lakh SHGs and we are the number one in India.” She assured residents that funds under Awas Yojana would be distributed within days to those affected by recent landslides and floods in Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Mirik, and Kalimpong.