Abhishek launches Jana Sanjog Yatra: ‘Be wary of voting on communal lines’

Addressing a meeting in Cooch Behar district, “In Indian politics, decisions are generally taken behind closed doors when it comes to deciding candidates for elections at various levels. For the panchayat candidates, recommendations are usually made by the district and block leaderships of parties. But for the first time in India, we are going to take opinion of the people through secret ballot on candidates for gram panchayats to ensure they are people’s panchayats.”

He interacted with locals and listened to their grievances in the Dinhata assembly constituency from where he went to Sitai of the district.

“I am determined to ensure that the panchayat polls in the state are held peacefully. To do this, I decided to stay with people for two months. People should vote for their basic needs and development. They should not vote on religious and communal lines,” he said.

“The TMC is the only party which will fight for your rights. The BJP-led government at the Centre has withheld funds under the MGNREGA scheme as it is yet to accept its defeat in the 2021 assembly polls,” he added.

Supporters clash over ballot voting

At Gonsanmari of Sitai where Banerjee held a meeting, two groups of TMC supporters clashed on ballot paper for selecting the party candidates for panchayat election. The incident took place after the MP had left the venue for Shitalkhuchi, it is learnt.

In the melee, one group tried to grab the ballot box, the other started tearing the ballot papers fearing they would not be able to vote. Police lathicharged and dispersed the crowd from the dais even as the two groups continued fighting nearby.

After hearing about the incident, MP Banerjee asked the Cooch Behar District Magistrate to probe the incident. The voting for selecting the candidates in Gosaimari will now be held on Wednesday, he announced.

Later, addressing a gathering, he said, “I heard that once I left the venue at Gosaimari, some over-enthusiastic people nearly broke the ballot box. We will try to find out who were involved in the ruckus. If anyone thinks that they can break the ballot boxes, they are living in a fool’s paradise.”
Meanwhile, the senior Trinamool Congress leader met the families of Prem Kumar Burman and Mufajjal Hossain who were killed allegedly in firing by BSF troops.

The families sought compensation besides proper investigation into the firing incidents.

Banerjee said, “I don’t have power to pay for the loss the BSF has caused to the families. Their loss is irreparable. But I and everyone in my party are with the families and will provide them all possible help.”