TMC chief turns to Facebook to get around ‘planted news’

Accusing a section of the media of “spreading misinformation”,Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has decided to reach out to the people “directly” through her Facebook account.

“Again a section of… channels is spreading misinformation and disinformation at the behest of certain vested interests. Always I have noticed that whenever a strong stand is taken for the cause of the common people,such section tries to malign and create confusion. It is better not to trust such rumours,gossip and planted news,” she posted on her Facebook page.

“If I have something new to say,I will let you know directly. I will reiterate that we have taken a decision which is ‘of the people,for the people and by the people’ and also pro-people. We stand by it,” added the West Bengal Chief Minister.

From 2 pm to 7 pm,Banerjee posted four statements on Facebook.

Soon after Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram claimed that the UPA government had tried to contact Banerjee several times in the last few days,she posted: “I totally disagree with the statement of Union Finance Minister. It is concocted. Please watch me further on this page.”

“We respect the common people. We vouch by our credentials and our total commitment is to the cause of the common people. Our life is borne out of struggle to protect the interests of the common people — maa,mati,manush. We know what we are doing and how the interests of common men should be protected. Let us fight the battle together for the cause of the common people. I appeal to all my brothers and sisters to be bold and remain united to protect the country from disaster,” she posted.

And in the evening,she posted her greetings on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Taking her cue,her party leaders were also active on social networking sites today. “Before going ahead with anti-people policies,PM should seek fresh mandate,whether the nation is in favour of so-called reforms or not,” tweeted Rajya Sabha member Kunal Ghosh.

“West Bengal CM slammed UPA,she said even for a small family bare minimum requirement is more than six LPG cylinders,” was the official tweet from the TMC.

Tweeting on yesterday’s party meeting,Abhishek Banerjee,TMC Yuva president,said: “Attended one of the most crucial party policy meets till date… Hats off to Didi… Principles come first… Proud to be a part of Trinamool.”