Author: aitc

Mamata Banerjee addressed a press conference today following the publication of the results of the panchayat elections.

Highlights of her comments:

I want to thank the people of Bengal for having successfully taken part in the panchayat elections. My heartfelt congratulations to those who have emerged victorious in the elections.

We have seen plenty of violence, hatred and the incessant use of Central agencies to harass Trinamool leaders and workers. What wrong have the people of Bengal done? Why then the harassment and step-motherly treatment towards Bengal?

Since the day that BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014, the tone and tenor of the central government changed towards Opposition-ruled states. Their sole agenda is to keep creating hindrances in the smooth functioning of the State government. BJP has never engaged in constructive development work in our country.

As long as I was a part of the Opposition, I had taken a lot of beating. But after coming to power, the BJP has adopted a hateful attitude towards me. Is their anger towards me the result of my belonging to an ordinary family?

The panchayat polls are over. If I indeed committed a wrong, I would willingly take the punishment. A political party cannot afford to be arrogant. If one gets the blessings of the people, one has to become more humble.

A few incidents of violence have happened in which 19 people have been killed. The State will be giving Rs 2 lakh compensation to the 19 people who lost their lives since the dates of the election were announced. Among these, 10-12 are from Trinamool Congress itself.

The people, who are like my gods, have won. These elections have proved that it is Trinamool Congress which resides in the hearts of the people of Bengal.

 

 

 

Mamata Banerjee today addressed a panchayat election campaign in Dubrajpur in Birbhum district. It was a virtual address because of her not keeping in good health.

Highlights of her speech:

The CPI(M) and Congress are asking for our help in Delhi. We will do our best. But it can’t be that they ask for our help there and ally with the BJP here.

I have lost six of my workers, which has been caused by the CPI(M), BJP and Congress.

One lakh people will get work at Deocha-Pachami. There will be no dearth of electricity in the state once the Deocha-Pachami project takes shape.

The pending widows’ pension will be handed out after the panchayat elections. Bengal is still owed Rs 1 lakh 15 thousand by the Centre.

I will take strong steps if I see infighting in the party.

I will throw the BJP government at the Centre out in 2024.

A lot of things are being heard about Keshto. Even his daughter has not been spared. Any accusation against him has to be proved in court. They have not been able to do this yet are keeping him in jail so that he cannot do the party’s work for the panchayat elections.

You have seen how I have come running to Rampurhat after the incident. I have provided the affected families with houses, jobs and other help. We will always stand by people who need help.

Mamata Banerjee gave a speech today at a Panchayat election rally in Kranti in Jalpaiguri district.

Highlights of her speech:

Using the tax GST, the Centre is taking away our money but not giving back any of it. It is not giving funds for 100 Days’ Work. We have to provide for scholarships with whatever little we have. I want to ask the government, how much have you paid America and Russia?

The money you have not got, I promise to bring it, even if I have to snatch from them. Prices have risen so high, be it tomatoes at Rs 120 per kg or gas cylinders at Rs 1,200. Cylinders were priced at Rs 400 before the BJP came to power.

Want to ask the BJP, you may be giving free rice, but how will people cook it when gas cylinder prices have skyrocketed to Rs 1,200? Do we have go out collecting firewood now? How can you be so shameless?

They will bring in a lot of people from other places. Don’t let those people enter. Each of you, be alert about protecting your own territories.

BJP will last for only six more months. They will govern at the Centre for only six more months.

All of you work together. If you see any leader not doing their proper work, tell me directly. I will look into the matter personally.

A public meeting was held today at the Prannath High School ground in Chandamari in Cooch Behar district as part of Trinamool Congress’s campaign for the panchayat elections, where Mamata Banerjee spoke.

Highlights of the speech:

Remember that even if you lose (the panchayat elections), our government will remain in place – so there is no reason to worry or fear.

We will look after every aspect of the elections so that nobody is able to steal money. If you find anybody doing so, take a picture of the person and send us. Let us see who is wielding how much power.

If anybody from our party has hurt you, I am asking for pardon on their behalf. Slap the person – this right I am giving you.

The Centre has blockaded funding for rural roads. But we will get it from them, we will get it after winning the panchayat elections.

Trinamool will stand beside the families of those who lost their lives due to firing by BSF troops.

I have news that the BSF is planning to scare people in the border districts. If they do so, inform us immediately. It is as if firing at the people has become the BSF’s right in Cooch Behar.

The CPI(M), Congress and BJP have come together. On the one hand, we are trying to set up an anti-BJP grand alliance in Delhi and on the other, the CPI(M), Congress and BJP are ganging up against us here. We would break apart the gang, but at the same time, we will ensure the alliance in Delhi remains.

The CPI(M) has tortured you a lot, so do not bring them back to power. As for the Congress and BJP, they have each other’s backs.

Do not give money to anyone – we would not let any leader steal. We want a panchayat of the people. I have instructed the police to arrest and register an FIR against anyone who fires a bullet. If anyone from the BJP attacks you, boot them out using your ladles and sticks.

Seventeen parties met in Patna today. Among those present were Nitish Kumar, Sitaram Yechury, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and many other opposition party leaders.

Highlights of Mamata Banerjee’s comments at the joint press conference:

It was especially nice to see Lalu ji in the political sphere today after a long time

We also had representation from other political parties — Rahul Gandhi ji and Mallikarjun Kharge ji from Congress, Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, Hemant Soren from Jharkhand, Dipankar Bhattacharya, Omar Abdullah,Mehbooba Mufti, D Raja, Sitaram Yechury, Uddhav Thackeray, and many other leaders

I believe any movement that starts from Patna, emerges as a Jan Andolan. Patna has a rich history of past movements, and our meeting today signals the start of an important andolan

In the past, we have had multiple meetings in Delhi, but there were no fruitful results. Hence, I had asked Nitish Kumar ji to hold the meeting here in Patna this time

Three things have been resolved at our meeting today. Firstly, we are all united, secondly, we will fight the elections unitedly, and finally, our fight shouldn’t be branded as the Opposition’s fight, but rather a fight against BJP’s dictatorship

We, too, are patriotic Indians, and our heart burns when we see Manipur burning. Our fight is against BJP’s atrocities, against their political vendetta

Today, BJP is running alternative government from Raj Bhavans. They organise State’s Foundation Day, without the consent and consultation of the State government. If we oppose them, ED and CBI are let lose against us

They have a stranglehold over the media and a battery of lawyers waiting outside courts busy filing cases against Opposition leaders, and letting investigating agencies behind them

The government doesn’t seem to be concerned about unemployment; they are not bothered about the common people, or the destruction of our economy. Dalit atrocities and violence against women are at an all-time high

The central government has halted funds for the states, they aren’t releasing money for 100 Days’ Work Scheme, for Awas Yojana and Grameen Sadak Yojana

This is a fight to save India. Let our blood flow, if the need arises, but we will protect our people. If BJP comes to power once again, we will no longer have elections in the future

We are all together, and we will fight unitedly and our next meeting will be in Shimla

 

 

 

On the concluding day of the Trinamooler Nabajowar programme today, the party’s Chairperson Mamata Banerjee addressed party workers at a public meeting in Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas.

Highlights of her speech:

Two lakh thirty-one thousand nominations have been received. There has never been a more peaceful nomination stage earlier. Seventy people died in 2003 and 36 in 2008.

What have the Central forces done to protect people? Thirty-nine people died in 2013 despite their presence.

They sent Central forces to Manipur too. But what happened? Even a Central minister’s house was burnt down. One hundred fifty people have died. The Central forces have not been able to do anything.

I promise that I’ll oust Narendra Modi from power. Central forces won’t be able to do anything. Mothers and daughters, come together for a fight.

The Congress has ruled many states. They are the biggest collaborators of the CPI(M). They are collaborators of the BJP. And after all this, they want our collaboration in Parliament. But we will help and that too, against the BJP. But remember, in Bengal, you cannot help the CPI(M)and then ask for our help too.

Not just me, they spread rotten things about everyone who works for Trinamool. They ask a lot of questions of Abhishek. But today I will tell you a bit of history about Abhishek.

Many say it was Pishi who came and made Bhaipo an MP. But they don’t know history.

Abhishek has been involved in politics from the age of two. Goons of the CPI(M) had beaten me up badly in 1990. I had come back from hospital and spoken to my mother. Abhishek heard everything sitting in my mother’s lap. From the next day, he used to walk around holding aloft a flag, asking, “Tell me why you beat up Didi”.

 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee handed out compensatory cheques to the relatives of those from Bengal killed and injured in the train accident at Bahanaga Bazar station in Odisha, at Netaji Indoor Stadium today.

Each of the families of 31 dead were given cheques worth Rs 5 lakh and a one-time payment of Rs 10,000 and appointment letters for jobs as home guards. The seriously injured were each given cheques worth Rs 1 lakh and the other injured cheques worth Rs 50,000.

Highlights of her speech:

I had decided not to say anything. But circumstances are forcing me to do otherwise. There is a conspiracy going on to suppress facts. The families who have lost everything are asking for explanations.

If the truth is suppressed, the ghosts of the dead won’t hold back, and their response would be deadly.

How did the accident happen? Why did so many people die? The CBI can investigate only of a criminal case is lodged. Don’t you know what happened in Pulwama? The then governor of Jammu and Kashmir has said the truth.

The real crime was not investigated. Things were whitewashed. In this case of the train accident, I want the truth to come out.

(To the Union government) You are not doing any special favour by giving compensation. When I was the railway minister, I used to give Rs 15 lakh to each of the families of the dead. What we have given here is extra. It is because we are humane. You are the citizens of my state.

We want the truth to come out. Through involving agencies, if people are misled, there can be dangerous consequences.

Mamata Banerjee joined Abhishek Banerjee in the ‘Trinamooler Naba Jowar’ programme today.

Highlights of her speech at the programme:

This meeting is meant for those who love the party, help it grow and create its character—to take their opinions.

If there is democracy within a party, there can always be different opinions. With due respect to all opinions, let me make it clear that those who get selected to fight using the party’s symbol must be supported by the others.

We had said that we want change and not revenge. That is why, even after so much torture, I had asked my party’s workers to sing Rabindrasangeet and Nazrulgeeti.

I still believe my Kurmi brothers have not done this (attacking Abhishek Banerjee’s convoy). It is the BJP which has done this, by instigating the Kurmis.

Now they are saying that NRC has to be done. They’ve sent me a letter saying I am the only chief minister who has not set up a task force.

Look at what is happening in Manipur. So many people have died. Yet none from the BJP has gone there. They said they would go later. Later when? When everything is finished?

Banks are not taking Rs 2,000 notes, nor are shopkeepers out of fear. Shouldn’t these situations have been foreseen?

If you need to stand for elections in the future, for the panchayat or Lok Sabha, you need to know who all will help you to win.

If there is understanding within Trinamool, the party can even fight Delhi.

On May 4, for the first time during the Trinamoole Nabo Jowar mass outreach programme, which was on its tenth day, Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee were seen on stage together. While giving her full support to the programme, the Trinamool chairperson gave a message to the next generation.

Highlights of her speech:

People have given their whole-hearted support to this programme and therefore, it has my support too. I will always back the people’s choice.

Those who are new here should also be aware of the history of the party’s struggle.

My initial suggestion was to not conduct this programme at a stretch for two months, so as to get some respite in between. But today’s generation is very stubborn. So Abhishek said let me get to know the pulse of the people by being on the road continuously for two months.

I had undertaken a mass outreach programme by traversing 23,000 km, starting possibly from Belpahari, in 1993.

What happened in Madhya Pradesh? Fifty-four people were killed in the course of the investigation. But we never stopped anyone from investigating here. But they are still giving us warnings continuously, barging into people’s homes without any permission, without any papers. Nobody will tolerate forever something that is illegal. Till I am alive, I will never let NRC take place.

The amount of work done here through social service schemes has not been done anywhere else in the world. Through Lakshmir Bhandar, I have secured the future of women. When they will get old, they would get included in old-age pension schemes. There are several schemes for students too.

Many people have used slander, have spoken ill about this Nabo Jowar movement. But this new tide will sweep everyone in its wake. This is not just a tide, this is a flood—and a weapon to stop the BJP in the future.

This mass outreach programme will end at Gangasagar. On that day again I will meet them.

Mamata Banerjee addressed a press meet at Nabanna today. Highlights of her comments:

How can the BJP talk of overthrowing our government on getting 35 seats? It is crossing constitutional boundaries. Under which can an elected government be removed? Or is the Constitution going to be changed?

Instead of looking after the country’s security, the home minister is scheming to overthrow an elected government. I demand his resignation in a democratic manner.

We do not generally talk about internal matters in international fora. Yet, when I visit another country, they hire people to show up with posters saying ‘Mamata Banerjee go back’. And I am supposedly aiding in mass murders. Is it ok to for you say certain things but not for me? I will of course raise issues outside the country that need to be raised. I have the right to speak.

At the drop of a coin, the government sends teams from Central agencies to Bengal. I had not spoken about something since it was a matter of internal security. But the truth will come out someday. Look at what the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir said about intelligence lapses that led to Pulwama.

I have confidence in our Supreme Court. There have been lapses at the highest level, and so, a judicial inquiry is a must.

Whenever elections come, the BJP tries to polarise voters and create communal trouble. They make the media spread lies. Before an investigation is even over, you are spreading the word through the media about so much money recovered from such a person.

Many BJP leaders are saying that after the 2024 elections, Bengal would not be given any funds. Getting funding is our fundamental right, our constitutional right.

We already know about the strategy decided upon at Amit Shah’s meeting. The BJP will create communal tension, inter-caste tension and many other things, all with the help of Central agencies. I have heard a big team has come from the Centre. It is waiting here. We too have information.