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This is an archive article published on April 5, 2024
BJP can create communal tension on Ram Navami to reap poll dividends, says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
Banerjee also informed that she will campaign in Assam’s Silchar for her party’s candidates on April 17
The West Bengal chief minister also reiterated that she will not allow the implementation of the CAA and the NRC in the state. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
Addressing a rally in Tufanganj under the Alipurduar Lok Sabha constituency on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that the BJP intentionally fixed the first phase of parliamentary polls on April 19 as it wanted to benefit electorally by creating communal tension on Ram Navami (April 17).
“We will not spare anyone inciting communal tension in Bengal. I respect Lord Ram but I’m against the way they (the BJP) use His name,” she said.
Asking the crowd to vote for her party in this part of West Bengal known for its tea plantations, the CM said, “I even dress like tea workers and pluck tea leaves and that is why I know the struggle of tea workers.”
Blaming the Centre for the recent storm-induced devastation in north Bengal, Banerjee said, “The prime minister has not fulfilled what he promised. Ten lakh tea plantation workers have been put in danger. The houses would not have been destroyed (in the storm) if the Centre had released (Awas Yojana) funds.”
The Bengal chief minister also raised the storm issue later in the day during her Jalpaiguri election rally. She said, “The prime minister came here yesterday (Thursday). He did not mention Jalpaiguri (storm) even once… Where is Modi’s guarantee in times of natural calamities?”
The party highlighted the issue on its X handle, stating, “4 people lost their lives, and hundreds were left injured in a storm that ravaged parts of Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, & Cooch Behar. But the Election Mantri chose to remain silent… over this colossal grief. The question remains: Did the teleprompter break down or the speech writers didn’t care enough about Bengal?”
Banerjee also reiterated during her rallies that she will not allow the implementation of the CAA and the NRC in the state.
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Raking up the 2021 Sitalkuchi incident wherein four people lost their lives after central forces opened fire during the Assembly polls, the CM said, “The BJP has fielded him (ex-IPS officer Debashis Dhar) as the candidate for Birbhum… on his orders the firing was carried out in Sitalkuchi.”
Sitalkuchi is located in the Cooch Behar district of West Bengal.
Taking potshots at former Calcutta HC judge and BJP Tamluk candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Banerjee said, “This time you will be tried in the people’s court.”
The TMC supremo also said the Sandeshkhali episode should not be equated with the previous Singur and Nandigram movements.
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“Arrests have been made. We have arrested Shah Jahan, Arabul,” she added.
Banerjee also informed that she will campaign in Assam’s Silchar for her party’s candidates on April 17. The Trinamool Congress has fielded four candidates in Assam.
Meanwhile, three North Bengal constituencies – Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri – will go to the polls in the first phase on April 19.
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