November 27, 2018
We do not want power in Delhi, we want the trust of the people: Mamata Banerjee
Bangla Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today addressed a ‘Hindibhashi Sammelan’ in Purulia. She said, irrespective of language, community, religion, everyone is equal in the State.
The CM said, she does not seek power in Delhi but wants the trust of the people. She also said that smiles will return on people’s faces when there is a change of guard at Centre.
Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:
I am honoured that you invited us for this event here today. Whether we are from Bangla or Rajasthan, UP or Punjab, we are all Indians. We have love and respect for people of all regions.
We can never imagine that since I am a Bengali-speaker, Rajasthanis are our enemies. We never think of the people of Bihar, UP or Jharkhand as outsiders or not close to our heart.
My political career started at a young age. I was an MP back then; I have been an MP for seven terms. I have been the railway minister, coal minister, minister for youth & sports affairs and women and child development. I have always kept the interests of the country before everything else. Wherever you stay, this is your country.
Jharkhand has a lot of potential. The State has lot of mines. But the leaders of the State do not have the brains. Instead of progressing, Jharkhand is lagging. I want Trinamool to open units in the State. I want Bangla and Jharkhand to prosper together. We had good relations with Bihar. Before independence, Bangla, Bihar and Odisha were one.
We have good relations with Marwaris of Rajasthan. When I was the railway minister, I had started new rail lines to Pushkar and Ajmer Sharif. I had given new trains to Punjab. I get the opportunity, I will work for you in the future.
When I make a promise, I fulfill it, even with my life. We do not support those who say one thing before elections and another after elections. My mentality is that of an ideal India.
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh are riddled with the Maoist problem. We are proud to say, there is no such problem in Bangla.
We have witnessed only bloodshed and tears in Jangalmahal once. Nobody used to visit this place. But I used to come here. Those days are gone now. Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram have transformed. People are happy.
Traders are suffering across the country. Businessmen are living in fear. They are afraid of ED or IT raid. This atmosphere of fear was not there in the past.
Your savings in the bank are no longer safe. Businesses are suffering due to demonetisation. Unemployment has increased. Small traders have been dealt a deadly blow. Medium and small enterprises are ravaged. There is a flight of capital from the country.
People do not support the BJP in Rajasthan. They are going to lose. They are in bad condition in Madhya Pradesh also. Whatever information I have, it is clear, the BJP government is going to lose.
People respect the leaders of the country. Those who lose that respect, receive the result in votes. If people fear someone, they can never lead the country.
The women in the household always save money for the rainy day in ‘lokkhir bhar’. Even that is being looted.
They talk a lot about ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. In reality, they are only spending on advertisement. The total budget for the entire country is Rs 100 crore. We have already spent Rs 6000 crore for Kanyashree. It is a very successful scheme. They only talk big.
Our government is with the farmers, as well as the industry. We are with the unemployed as well as the women. Move on, we are with you.
Politicians will come and go but the country will not be sold. It is our job to save the country. We are not in politics to harm the people. Our aim is to win the hearts of the common people.
I want to assure my Hindi-speaking brothers and sisters that we have set up many Hindi-medium colleges; we will set up a Hindi university also. Hindi is a second language in our State, along with Gurmukhi and many other languages.
Few days ago, Chhath Puja was celebrated across the country. We declared two days’ holiday but the Centre didn’t. We participate in Chhath as well as Durga and Kali Puja. We observe Christmas as well as the festivals of Adivasis.
Bihar, Rajasthan, UP, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Jharkhand – these are separate states. Just like different organs together make the whole body, we need every state to make India. We need every state, every community, every village, every city to smile. Only then our country will prosper.
There are diverse languages, different people, several faiths in our country. But we are all one. We will always be united. This will lead to the country’s progress.
If Delhi witnesses ‘change’ (in ruling party) in the future, your smiles will return. Be strong and work hard for the future. Do not be afraid. If the Centre tries to disturb us, we return the favour back.
My philosophy is, fight me if you can. Or else, leave me alone. I have struggled all my life, and I will continue to do so. I will do everything necessary for upholding human values. I do not seek power in Delhi. I want people’s trust.
We will fight together, work shoulder to shoulder. This is our wish. Best wishes to you all. Jai Hind. Bande Mataram.
