Accusing the BJP-led government at the Centre of “weaponising” the electoral roll revision process, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced to give Rs 2 lakh each to the families of 39 people who, she claimed, have died in the state due to “SIR-induced panic”, including cases of suicide.
Addressing mediapersons at Nabanna, the state secretariat, after a review of her government’s development projects, the chief minister said that 13 others who fell ill during the SIR exercise, including three booth-level officers (BLOs), would be given Rs 1 lakh each.
“Till now, 39 ordinary citizens, including four BLOs, have died due to the SIR panic, including suicides. Their families will be provided financial assistance,” she said.
Stating that families of four BLOs, who died due to “SIR work pressure”, have already been given Rs 2 lakh each, adding that 13 others are currently under treatment after collapsing or falling critically ill during enumeration-related duties.
“We will not let people be traumatised or intimidated. The state will support every affected family,” she said.
The TMC supremo likened the BJP government at the Centre to British rulers, asking it not to impose directives on the state.
“I want to tell the Centre: do not behave like the British. Don’t give forceful instructions to our officers like the Britishers. If you want to give any instructions, send them to the state government directly,” the chief minister said, adding that her government has always wanted co-operative federalism.
Reiterating that her government would not set up any detention centres in the state, the TMC supremo said: “I do not practise communal politics. I practise secular politics. For me, all religions are the same.”
“I follow the Constitution… I don’t want to put people in trouble,” the CM said without any direct reference to CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and NRC (National Register of Citizens) that have been implemented in neighbouring BJP-ruled Assam.
“Bengal does not discriminate. We treat all communities equally. This is not a government that divides people. This is a government that protects everyone,” she said, adding that the state would “resist any attempt” to unsettle the social fabric.
“You may torture us, deprive us, we will talk about co-operation. We want your cooperation, we want cooperative federalism,” the chief minister added.
Soon after the chief minister’s remarks, the BJP hit back, accusing her of “peddling falsehoods” to divert attention from the TMC’s alleged involvement in maintaining “ghost voters” in the electoral rolls.
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said Banerjee was “scared” of a clean-up of the voter list.
“The SIR is an ECI-mandated, nationwide process. Why is she afraid? Because thousands of fake and illegal voters have been protected by the TMC for years,” he alleged.
Adhikari said comparing the Centre to the British was “an insult to the democratic structure”.
“It is Mamata Banerjee who runs Bengal like a private estate. The BJP does not need to learn democracy from her. She must explain why her party is resisting a transparent voter verification process,” he said.
Calling Banerjee’s “secular politics” claim “hypocrisy”, the BJP leader alleged that the TMC had indulged in “appeasement politics” for over a decade.
“Her government selectively protects certain groups for electoral benefit. She should stop lecturing about constitutional values,” he said.
With PTI