Unity, 'people-first' basis of TMC ideology: Mamata
Times of India | 3 January 2023
KOLKATA: "United India" isn't a matter of government or opposition but a "reality", CM Mamata Banerjee said on Monday, stressing that the Constitution clearly says the country is secular. Banerjee said refusal to release central funds despite constitutional mandates also undermines cooperative federalism.
"Our ideology is very clear. We want a united India. We want unity. All state governments and the federal structure should be strengthened. We should work for the people," she said.
Attacking the BJP for "we-will-have-it-all" politics, the CM dubbed it as "destructive". Delineating from the Congress and CPM in Bengal, whom she alleged were with the "B and C teams of BJP", Banerjee said it was TMC's "people-first" policy that stood them apart from BJP. "We have never been directly involved with BJP," she added.
"Now, attempts are being made to wipe out our history, geography and even politics. They will try to wipe out our childhood too. A new dawn cannot be at the cost of our ideology and principles," Banerjee said.
Delving extensively on the central funds issue, the CM said: "Releasing funds for the 100-day job scheme is a constitutional mandate. Forget the fresh allocation for the 2023-24 FY in March, even the Rs 6,000 crore due to people who have toiled have not been paid. I have met the PM thrice." If she would take this up with the PM again, the CM said: "The PM has lost his mother. The weeklong mourning is not yet over. This is not the time to comment on it."
Speaking on the Awas Yojana fund release by the Centre, the CM asked: "What is the point in releasing funds at the fag end of the financial year? This is another ploy (by the Centre) to shift the blame on the states."