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Journalism of Courage
BEHIND the recent outburst by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against officials and police personnel over the state of civic amenities appears to be data emerging from Lok Sabha election results showing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) trailing in urban wards of most districts as well as Assembly segments of many state ministers.
According to sources in the state Secretariat, of the total 121 municipalities in the state, the BJP was ahead in 69 in the Lok Sabha elections and the Congress in two, leaving the TMC leading in 50.
On July 1, the CM will reportedly hold a meeting with chairmen and top officials of all municipalities. Sources said the feedback received by Mamata showed that voters are angry with the TMC government over corruption and poor municipal services.
A TMC leader pointed out that after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, in which the BJP stunned the state by winning 18 seats, the TMC had launched ‘Didi ke bolo (Tell Didi)’ programme’ to counter public anger. “Similarly, this time Mamata is targeting leaders and councillors of urban local bodies against whom there is anger among the local people.”
At Monday’s review meeting, the CM slammed officials, apart from MLAs, party leaders, councillors and police officers, over the state of civic amenities, particularly the encroachment of footpaths and roads. Accusing them of allowing the illegal constructions, Mamata said, “The government will not take the blame for the actions of some individuals and municipalities.”
The CM formed a committee comprising officials from the CID, Vigilance Department and other government officials to review the situation over illegal constructions and land grabbing.
The CM also threatened exemplary punishment against offenders, using a proverb: “Ekta kak mere rastay jhuliye dao. Aar kono kak asbe na (Kill a crow and hang it over a street. Other crows will stop coming there).” At a follow-up meeting with the police, administration and leaders of civic bodies Thursday, Mamata said: “Irrespective of party colour, police officers and councillors who are allowing illegal car parking and hawking on the streets for money will be arrested.”
Another section in the party noted that the CM’s outburst was as much a message by her that she remains the TMC supremo, at a time when calls have been made to let a younger leadership come forth.
“She made scathing attacks on the party’s youth leadership at the meeting, indicating she was aware of rising corruption and extortion… Through the campaign, our supremo is also targeting the close aides of her nephew and party No. 2 Abhishek Banerjee. The message is that whether in government or the party, she is still the last word,” a TMC leader said.
On Mamata’s outburst, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said, “The CM has no concrete plan. One day, she orders an operation against the poor. The next day, she says she will save them. The government is not taking any action against those who have actually encroached upon its land because they are TMC workers or leaders. People understand what she is doing.”
State BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya said, “Everybody knows what the CM is doing is drama. She had done the same thing before. She only wants to divert attention.”
He added, “Why we did better in certain areas, and not in others, is immaterial. The BJP is fighting in Bengal for the restoration of democracy, against the breakdown of law and order, rampant extortion and the open sale of everything, from jobs to government land. Our fight will continue until we defeat the TMC.”
