West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP on Saturday during a rally in Raghunathpur, in the Purulia district, holding them responsible for the recent violence in Raghunathganj, in Murshidabad. Terming the incident “most unfortunate”, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo alleged that administrative power had been “snatched” from her hands through the hand-picking of officers by the Centre to facilitate such unrest.
“What happened in Raghunathganj is really unfortunate. We too celebrate Ram Navami and take out processions. But we never incite violence or create riots. The day before yesterday, you carried guns in the procession in Suri. I don’t know why the administration is not taking action. Please don’t blame me for the law and order situation. I don’t have any power left with me since all the officers have been changed,” Banerjee said, while addressing an election rally.
Accusing the BJP of cherry-picking officials, she added, “Administrative power has been snatched from my hands. You [BJP] have created the riot in Raghunathganj. The main reason behind taking away power from my hands is to create such violence. You have looted and vandalised shops and houses. I don’t support the demolition of any temple. How many temples were demolished in the Kashi Vishwanath corridor? They demolished a Kali temple in Delhi as well. I am questioned every day for building the Jagannath Dham…as if I committed a sin. Ask them who gave them permission to demolish houses? Who gave them permission to create a riot in Raghunathganj? We will not spare any rioter. People will not forgive you,” she added.
Banerjee also apologised to the shopkeepers of Behala, where several shops were demolished. “Although Firhad Hakim is the Mayor, the new commissioner is hand-picked by the BJP. I would request him not to play with fire. Several shops in Behala have been demolished by bulldozer action. Give me time, and I will rebuild the affected shops. The action has not taken place due to our order. Despite the fact that I am the elected CM, the central government is torturing people of Bengal. They don’t want the state of Bengal to exist,” she alleged.
Pointing out that “religion means humanity”, CM said, “We too celebrate Ram Navami and Navratri as we celebrate Durga Puja, Christmas and Eid…We want marginalised people to thrive,” she said, urging “the communal people to read Bengal’s literature.”
Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state, alleging that millions of voters are being targeted for deletion. “In some booths with 500 voters, 400 have been deleted. Is it a joke? BJP is crossing every limit,” she said, calling them “devilish” and “wicked”.
Alleging that the EC was working at the behest of the BJP, Banerjee claimed that 1.20 crore names were deleted through the SIR of electoral rolls.
“Firstly, they have deleted 58 lakhs…Next, they have put another 60 lakh under adjudication… married women have been placed under adjudication due to logical discrepancy…They’ve removed names of Muslim women in bulk. Names of Hindus have also been dropped. You have used AI and created confusion. Don’t you feel ashamed that you have included names of judges in the adjudication list?,” she alleged.
She claimed that there have been cases where only one member of a family is in the voters’ list while four others have been struck off. “Targeted deletion has happened,” she said, alleging it would lead to “NRC and detention camps.” “I will not let that happen. You have taken away all powers from me. Do you want to implement an unofficial President’s Rule? Remember, my real power is the people of Bengal. Since you have targeted Bengal, we have targeted Delhi,” CM Banerjee said.
“They have deliberately deleted names of electors before polls… 220 people have died due to SIR…I have come from the street to the SC. It was said that 27 lakh electors have been adjudicated. Yet, till date, people don’t know whose names have been retained and whose have been removed. For legitimate voters who have been removed, we have to appeal in the tribunal. We’ll assist them with free legal help…,” she alleged.
She even questioned the need for people to travel to Kolkata for tribunal hearings, asking, “Why not set up tribunals in every district?”
Banerjee also targeted the central forces, alleging that they are “working in cohort with the BJP during elections.”
Urging people to safeguard ballot boxes, she said, “Do not sell yourselves for BJP’s money. We are also keeping track of things. I will give the responsibility to my mothers and sisters. From the day before the election, keep an eye out for outsiders and goons. If central forces come in police uniforms to cast fake votes, resist them. If they try to capture the voting machines, stand your ground. Stay there on counting day until the final result is out. What will you take with you? Take a hand fan… you have rolling pins (belan)…”
“You are my co-warriors. Make sure they are not able to hack the machines or tamper with them. Don’t allow voting to happen in a faulty machine. You need to build resistance like Matangini Hazra. Give BJP a befitting reply,” she said.
The BJP is running a “Vanish Commission”, “transferring 100 officials to Kerala and Tamil Nadu”, the chief minister alleged, adding, “This has been done to help BJP bring in cash, arms and drugs in Bengal to incite violence. I urge the newly posted officers to take care of people.”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has sought a report on allegations that Mamata Banerjee threatened central forces during a public meeting in Naxalbari on March 25. It expressed concern that her remarks could lead to unrest in rural areas. Consequently, the EC has directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal to submit a report on the matter.
Accusing the BJP of trying to dictate what one will eat or wear, Banerjee warned people at the rallies,”In BJP-ruled states, eating fish, meat and eggs is banned. People are killed in the name of encounter. Outsiders have come in large numbers. I would urge the administration to emphasise naka checking. Money comes in vehicles of central forces. I have several documents with me. Is this the reason for changing the officers? I still believe those who are in administration are not biased.”
Slamming the BJP for increasing railway fares and selling the country, CM said, “How many times has the railway fare increased in 10 years? I was also the Railway Minister. I never increased the fare. And you took my Duronto trains and turned them into Vande Bharat! You are taking money and selling the country.”
“How many times in one lifetime will people have to stand in line? First demonetization, then Aadhaar cards. And Aadhaar has so many forms! Now, this SIR has started! People are being forced to stand in queues even while breathing through nasal tubes,” she said.
CM Mamata Banerjee reiterated promises of 1 lakh jobs in Deucha-Pachami, Rs 22,000 crore investment, and economic corridors, branding Bengal a business hub as well as highlighted Rs 72,000 crore investment in Raghunathpur. Mamata announced Rs 1500 “pocket money” for students under Yuva Sathi, distinguishing it from unemployment allowance. “This is not an unemployment allowance. Its is like providing them with pocket money as they are studying. PM Modi said that he would give 2 crore employment every year. In reality unemployment in the country has grown significantly. In Bengal, we have given 2 crore jobs. Unemployment has reduced by 40% in Bengal. Several industries are being established in Bengal. We have pulled out 1.75 crore people out of poverty.”
“We provide free ration, healthcare, and education. PM Modi only does publicity, doesn’t even bear 20% of the costs,” she said.
“Through our schemes, we provide food, healthcare, education for free. We provide Rs 10,000 for farmers who get more than 1 acre of land. Those who have 1 katha land, they get Rs 4,000. Landless farmers are receiving financial aid. We are helping migrant labourers with Rs 5,000 and also give in 100-days work,” Mamata added.