KolkataAssembly elections are near in West Bengal and political activity has intensified. Trinamool Congress (TMC) is preparing to strengthen its hold on 84 Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) assembly seats in the state. For this, TMC is going to start a special public relations campaign of 60 days. Along with this campaign, the party has also accused BJP of withholding state funds and insulting backward communities.
‘Tapashilir Sanglaap’ campaign will start from March 5
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee informed the party workers about this campaign on Monday. He told that this campaign named ‘Tapashilir Sanglaap’ will start from March 5 after Holi. During this two-month programme, teams of TMC representatives will reach villages and booths in the targeted assembly constituencies in special vehicles. Abhishek Banerjee said that each vehicle will have a team of three to five members. This team will interact with the people at the ground level and tell them about the welfare schemes of the state government. Besides, they will also expose the atrocities being committed by BJP on SC and ST communities. He told the workers, “The responsibility of these 84 assembly seats lies on your shoulders.”
BJP accused of conspiracy to end reservation
Abhishek Banerjee launched a scathing attack on BJP, alleging that the party has repeatedly insulted backward communities. Referring to the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, she claimed that members of the Matua community were prevented from entering the temple premises despite carrying holy water. Banerjee also claimed that the BJP wants to end reservation for SCs and STs by amending the Constitution made by BR Ambedkar. He said he intends to do so even if the BJP has only 240 members.
Center accused of withholding funds
The TMC leader also accused the Center of carrying out an ‘economic blockade’ of West Bengal. He challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prove that the central government has released funds for schemes like rural employment program in the state in the last five years. He claimed that the Center collected about Rs 7 lakh crore as tax from the state, but the dues from Bengal were given to other states like Bihar and Gujarat. He said, “If they prove that the Modi government has given even 10 paise to 2 crore 64 lakh job card holders of Bengal for 100 days of work, then I will leave politics.”
‘Rath Yatra’ also targeted
Abhishek Banerjee also attacked BJP leaders’ alleged comments on the eating habits of Bengalis. He said the people of the state would not let “landlords of Delhi” decide what they would eat or how they would live. Taking a dig at BJP’s ‘Rath Yatra’, she called party leaders ‘cheaters’. Banerjee told the workers, “When his chariot passes through your area, welcome him with the hospitality of Bengal. Offer him fish and meat.” He also asked to feed them sweets to remind them of BJP’s ‘anti-Bengal’ stance. He also said that these chariots should be preserved so that these leaders can be sent back during the ‘Ulto Rath’.
Workers given target of winning more than 250 seats
Abhishek Banerjee urged party workers to ensure that BJP’s tally of seats in the state becomes zero. He called for the TMC government to win with more than 250 seats for the fourth consecutive time. Let us tell you that elections for the 294-member Assembly of West Bengal are likely to be held in April.