Remove all vermin to save party: Mamata on corruption
Times of India | 3 January 2023
KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, in one of her strongest anti-corruption messages till date to Trinamool leaders and workers, said that "one vermin" could destroy "an entire (granary of) rice" and so it was necessary to remove that vermin "in the first instance".
"If even one vermin is not removed in time, it will end up destroying the entire (granary of) rice," Banerjee said at a party programme to launch a two-month, door-to-door campaign ahead of the panchayat polls to reach out to 2 crore homes in Bengal from January 11. "Panchayat (leaders) do not have to explain (the lapses) to people, I have to answer for them," she said, adding "good workers" would be rewarded by the party. "Politics is about people," she reminded colleagues, adding: "My responsibility is to people. Even I am not above the party."
The CM's statements came in the wake of Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's recent statements on the party's zero-tolerance approach to corruption. He has also asked several panchayat leaders to resign after internal party probes established prima-facie guilt following complaints from whistle-blowers.
The CM broached the issue again while speaking to Trinamool leaders later on Monday. The party, she said, had to be kept under vigilance. "We will monitor panchayat work," she said, stressing the importance of finding out whether there was any corruption in the panchayats.
CM asks TMC leaders to lead by example
CM and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning against corruption while launching the party’s two-month outreach programme on Monday.
“The panchayats, or gram sabhas, get funds directly. This is not routed through the state government any longer and so the state has no check on it. It is, therefore, imperative to know who is working and who is not. We will also seek reports from the party and then cross-check even these reports. But allegations should not be levelled on the basis of personal likes and dislikes,” the CM said.
Banerjee asked Trinamool leaders to lead by example. “Let people remember you for your work. What is the use of houses, cars, shops and hotels if there is no peace (of mind) or (good) health or anyone to take care of? Why should I steal? People will appreciate honest workers and there cannot be anything bigger than people’s certificates,” she said before giving her own example: “I was a seven-time MP but never flew executive class. I have never taken a pension. I have been a CM for a decade. I am entitled to a salary of Rs 1. 5 lakh but I do not take a penny. I can earn Rs 6-8 crore from an (art) exhibition but I do not need it and neither does my family. ”