After Eastern Railway no to TMC’s special train plea, party says will find alternative

“In reference to your letter on requirement of a special train from Howrah has been examined and it is informed that the coaches as per desired rake composition are not available,” read an Eastern Railways letter to the TMC.
TMC’s National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee called it “shameless” act.

“SHOCKING DISPLAY OF DECEIT: The BJP govt shamelessly denied to provide a special train after accepting the deposit. This blatant obstruction of WB’s right to protest for their rightful dues is a glaring testament to their FEAR. Love seeing them COWER BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF WB,” said Abhishek Banerjee.

A large number of MGNREGA job card holders from West Bengal arrived at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Friday hoping to travel to Delhi to participate in TMC’s scheduled protest programme on October 2 and 3 against the alleged withholding of funds by the Centre. The TMC has made arrangements for their food and accommodation at Netaji Indoor Stadium.

According to the TMC, around 4,000 MGNREGA workers had planned to leave for New Delhi on a special train requested by the party. One of the MGNREGA job card holders, Roshini Oraon (36) has left her two sons at home in Alipurduar district and is planning to go to Delhi via Kolkata.

Oraon is a tea garden worker and earns Rs 5,000 monthly. Earlier with a job card, she was able to make some extra money. She is among many of those who claim to be MGNREGA beneficiaries who gathered at Netaji Indoor stadium via road and train.

While trying to store her luggage at Netaji Indoor Stadium Air conditioned hall, Oraon said, “Rice costs more than Rs 40 a kilogram, imagine the travel and conveyance cost. How can someone survive with a family income of Rs 5,000? With no work under MGNREGA in Bengal we have no extra income,” she said.

“I will be going to Delhi for the first time but it is a protest programme. It is going to be a different experience for a tea garden worker like me who has lived in Alipurduar all her life,” she added. Several TMC leaders visited the stadium nd checked the arrangements for the premises. “The BJP is afraid of this movement… That is why they want to stop [TMC general secretary and MP] Abhishek Banerjee,” minister Shashi Panja, who visited the stadium earlier in the day, said.

Minister and TMC’s women wing chief Chandrima Bhattacharya also visited the stadium.

Abhishek Banerjee, who arrived at Netaji Indoor Stadium, in the evening, said the party will make alternative arrangements. “The TMC cannot be stopped like this. I salute our job cardholders for their resolve in this fight. Tomorrow, we will take necessary steps and alternatives..those who have reached Bengal, we will take them to Delhi in the next two days. But if anyone lays a finger on the common people or labourers in BJP-ruled states, we won’t back down and people will give a befitting response to them democratically. If you want, you can unleash your violence on me,” said Banerjee. Banerjee added, “Railway officials accepted the security deposit that was offered for 20 rail coaches. Yet, hours before the train was scheduled to depart, they informed us through an email that they would not be able to assign a special train. They cancelled the train because they are scared of our protest movement and Bengal’s might,” he said. Banerjee said that his party wasn’t  dependent on favours. ” Bengal’s voice will reach Delhi. They can try with all their might to stop us but this fight will continue. This fight belongs to the people and not Trinamool Congress. This is not an electoral fight but the fight for our rights,” said Banerjee..

The TMC claims to have sent more than 50 lakh letters from people denied MGNREGA benefits in West Bengal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the party’s protests in New Delhi next month, party officials said.

Another job card holder , Bishnu Ghatani (48) who had come from Alipurduar said, “It is disappointing on part of the Centre to deprive us because we are from Bengal. People here have no jobs. Labourers are leaving the state because the Centre has stopped the 100-day work scheme.”

Interestingly, many of those who claimed to be MGNREGA beneficiaries and gathered at the stadium were either TMC members or held a party post at the district and block level.

Raja Ghosh who claimed to be a MGNREGA beneficiary, said he has has been a TMC party member for the past years.

A TMC functionary said that nearly 50 buses have been arrangedto carry protesters and that they were making more arrangements for more people. The buses with medical kits will start leaving the Netaji Indoor Stadium 8.30am onwards, he added.

While several party leaders, including ministers, are travelling by the Rajdhani Express, some will take the 4pm flight to the national capital, he said.