April 8, 2015
Centre trying to gag voices of dissent, spreading communal tension: Mamata Banerjee
Trinamool Congress today organised a massive protest rally against the NDA government’s proposed ordinance to bring in amendments to the Land Acquisition Act.
Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee led today’s rally against the ‘draconian ordinance’, as people from all segments of the society marched with her from from Moulali till Mayo Road near the Gandhi statue. The Chairperson launched an attack on the central government while addressing the gathering at Mayo Road.
Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who also spoke at the rally said, “The party has been consistent in its opposition to the forcible land acquisition policy. TMC was the only party to oppose UPA II’s land bill and call for division on the floor of Rajya Sabha in 2013.”
Highlights of the Chairperson’s speech:
My dear brothers and sisters. I thank you all for walking in today’s massive rally. This government has promulgated this ‘kala’ ordinance not once but twice.
Only TMC carried out people’s movement for farmers at a time when no one considered this issue. We carried out 26 day hunger strike for farmers of Singur. We fought for the people of Nandigram & Netai. We have always maintained transparency and consistency in our stand. We are against forcible land acquisition.
Trinamool Chairperson at today’s rally
The Central Govt has taken several anti-people measures. From railway to retail, they are bringing FDI. The Central Govt is promoting communal violence. They are practising politics of divide and rule. The work of a government is to provide good governance. This govt is instead promoting communal violence. This Central Govt is one of empty promises. They only talk of giving funds. They have reduced allocations for most schemes.
We don’t want your money. Just stop taking our taxes.
This Govt is misusing CBI, ED, IT Dept, NIA for political purposes. People who were happy when BJP came to power are now saying “yeh achha din nahi hai”. Doordarshan has become BJP-Darshan. In Delhi CPM and BJP pretend to fight. But in Bengal they are bhai-bhai. PIL has become Political Interest Litigation now.
The Opposition will lose in Municipal Polls just like they lost at Bongaon & Krishnaganj. We have not come to power overnight. We have a history of struggle.
Why are they asking for accounts of Trinamool? We are a poor party. What about parties who spent crores for LS polls? The system is to submit accounts and records to EC. Why should we submit them to someone else?
We fought against CPM for 34 years. Now they cannot win polls. So all they do is appear on TV studios. Has the CPM forgotten about 21 July? Have they forgotten about Coochbehar? Dhonekhali? What has the CPM not done? People have not forgotten about their reign of terror.
A party which cannot protect its party HQ from its own workers wants to come to power in Bengal.
Posters and banners at today’s rally
From land bill to any undemocratic, anti-people measures – we will protest against everything. Opposition trusts forces more than the people during elections, it seems.
Every time elections approach, Central agencies send notices to TMC. Let’s compete on the agenda of developmental work. I challenge the Opposition. The more they try to attack me, my resolve strengthens.
I have conducted 80 district tours. Secretariat goes to districts now, not the other way round. The slander campaign will be defeated. The smear propaganda will be silenced. People will win in a democracy. Despite all odds, Bengal is surging ahead on the path of development. Even if they take away our revenue, development will continue in Bengal.
Vote for Trinamool in the upcoming municipal polls. Shower us with your blessings. Our Mayor has done excellent work in last 5 years; he will do even better in future. Kolkata is cleaner and greener now. Vote for Trinamool. Vote for development.
Chairperson addressing the rally at Mayo Road
