Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today addressed a public meeting at Nalikul at Hooghly in support of Trinamul Congress candidates from Singur, Haripal and Chanditala constituencies.
She expressed surprise at the Centre’s deployment of more than two lakh Central forces personnel for the elections. “The people of Bengal are peace-loving and tolerant towards all religions, faiths and beliefs. They uphold communal harmony and a sense of brotherhood, following the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa on the unity of all religions. Bengal is rich in art, culture and literature, and its reformers and patriots have guided the nation. People here are aware of their constitutional rights and limitations. The question in their minds is: for whom are two lakh forces being deployed? The general public feels humiliated,” the Chief Minister said.
She alleged that migrant workers returning home by train to vote in Bengal were being compelled to promise, in the name of their holy books, that they would vote for the BJP. “This is a grave offence and a violation of the constitutional rights and freedoms of the people. Elections are a festival of democracy. The BJP has declared war against the Constitution and the constitutional rights of the people of Bengal,” she said.
Banerjee added that once the TMC returns to power for a fourth term, “the days will be numbered” for the Modi-led BJP government at the Centre.
The Chief Minister also criticised the alleged misuse of Central investigative agencies against TMC leaders and workers. The chief minister said: “Migrant workers availing the railways to return home to cast their vote in Bengal are being made to promise in the name of their religious books that they would vote in favour of BJP. We strongly condemn this,” she said.
Highlighting development initiatives, she said the state government has renovated, upgraded and beautified places of worship and tourist sites, ensuring better amenities for lakhs of devotees and visitors.
She urged people to retain faith in the TMC and not be misled by “false and lucrative promises” of the BJP, stating that 105 government welfare schemes are benefiting people across all sections and professions.
Banerjee further claimed that railway and Metro projects currently underway were planned and sanctioned during her tenure as Union railway minister, and that the BJP should not take credit for them.
Addressing concerns of potato growers, she assured that agricultural research centres would soon supply high-quality seeds, reducing dependence on costly imports from other states. The state government, she said, is directly procuring potatoes at a maximum support price of Rs 900 per quintal. Thirty per cent storage space has been reserved for small potatoes, and farmers are free to sell their produce in other states. They can also avail themselves of crop insurance benefits in case of losses due to adverse conditions.
The procured potatoes are utilised in ICDS centres, school mid-day meals, Maa Canteens and Sufal Bangla outlets, she added.