Author: AITC

Trinamool Chairperson campaigns for development in Keshpur

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Claiming that her Trinamool Congress will control the new government at the centre, Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee Monday asserted that her regime would leverage the strength to ensure the state was not deprived of central funds.

“Trinamool will control the government in Delhi. We won`t allow it to deprive Bengal of funds. Centre has taken away Rs 86,000 crore from Bengal. They are depriving us of funds to stop development,” the Trinamool supremo said at an election rally in Keshpur of Paschim Medinipur district.

Exhorting the villagers to remain aware of the “friendship” among the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Congress, Ms. Banerjee cautioned the people not to “fall into the traps” laid by the opposition.

“There is a lot of friendship between BJP, CPI-M and Congress. If you have faith in me, then remember that whoever says anything and does anything. I will never abandon the common people as I work for them,” she said.

Deepak Adhikary (Dev), Trinamool`s candidate from the district`s Ghatal spoke about his family ties with Keshpur while asking people to vote for him. He said every vote counts, and every person must cast their votes during the elections.

Training her guns on the opposition, Ms. Banerjee said the parties have huge amounts of funds and therefore they can use them to instigate the masses. “Do not fall for the traps laid by the opposition. They have money power. They can carry out vicious campaigning,” she said. Ms. Banerjee said while the BJP was “communal”, the Congress would raise the prices of essentials while the CPI-M only indulged in “destruction and killings”.

The Chairperson also highlighted the development projects initiated by the Government in Bengal. She spoke about the Kanyashree scheme, the reservation for backward sections of the society and the various beneficiary schemes for farmers, folk artists and other downtrodden people.

The Chairperson added that her Government had also initiated a project to control floods in Medinipur district. She said IIT Kharagpur was making a master plan for the same. She talked about the 6 multi super-speciality hospitals for Paschim Medinipur, trauma care centre at Kharagpur hospital.

The Chairperson was also nostalgic in her speech. She revisited the black days of violence in Keshpur. She said the families were still waiting for justice. Slamming the Left for indulging in politics of violence, she said that ballots and not bullets must rule. She promised to work for the people till her last breath.

Trinamool Chairperson bats for peace at election rally in Garbeta

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Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee today addressed a rally at Garbeta in Paschim Medinipur district, where she was greeted with ululation and sounds of conch shells. Despite the rising mercury levels, thousands of people attended the rally. Ms. Mamata Banerjee apologised to the audience at the very outset for keeping them waiting due to a technical snag in her helicopter.

The Chairperson introduced the candidates for Jhargram, Uma soren, and Ghatal, Deepak Adhikari, to the people amidst huge cheering from the crowd. She said that she was proud to be back to Garbeta. Once a hotbed of violence and political killings, peace prevailed in the region now. The Chairperson thanked the people for making it happen through ballots.

The Chairperson was nostalgic in her speech. She revisited the black day of 2001 when Trinamool workers were killed in Garbeta and Chhota Angariya. She said the families were still waiting for justice. Slamming the Left for indulging in politics of violence, she said that development now ruled Garbeta. She promised to work for the people till her last breath.

She slammed the Opposition saying that the Congress, the CPI(M) and the BJP had a secret understanding to defeat the Trinamool. Taking on the BJP, she said that they appeased a certain religion for votes during election season. Ms. Banerjee added that Trinamool is the only party that works for the people.  

The Trinamool Chairperson stressed on the developmental projects taken up by the State Government, despite the financial crunch. She slammed the Centre for not releasing funds worth Rs 86000 crore for various projects. She asked people to not vote for the communal BJP, corrupt Congress and the destructive CPI(M). She urged people to vote for Trinamool to build a better Bengal, a new India.

Trinamool Chairperson urges people to vote for Trinamool in Medinipur

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Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee today addressed a rally at Keshiari in Paschim Medinipur district, where she was greeted with ululation and sounds of conch shells. Braving the soaring heat, and despite a problem in the helicopter that the Chairperson was scheduled to travel in, Ms. Banerjee kept her promise to the people and attended the mass gathering at Medinipur.

Before the Chairperson arrived, the Trinamool candidate for Medinipur constituency, Sandhya Roy, urged people to vote for Trinamool to build a new India. She said that every vote cast in favour of her was actually an endorsement of Mamata Banerjee`s developmental work. Later, the candidate for Ghatal constituency, Deepak Adhikari – who also happens to be the reigning superstar of Bangla cinema – urged people to vote for Sandhya Roy, and all Trinamool candidates, in large numbers.

During her brief speech, Trinamool Chairperson thanked people for making it to the rally despite the heat. She slammed the Opposition saying that the Congress, the CPI(M) and the BJP had a secret understanding to defeat the Trinamool. She asked people to be wary of the traps laid by the Opposition ahead of the elections.

The Trinamool Chairperson stressed on the developmental projects taken up by the State Government for Paschim Medinipur district, despite paucity of funds. From Kisan Mandis to ITIs, polytechnic colleges and hospitals – the Chairperson said she was committed towards building a Sonar Bangla. She once again slammed the Centre for not releasing funds worth Rs 86000 crore for various projects. She asked people to not vote for the communal BJP, corrupt Congress and the destructive CPI(M). She urged people to vote for Trinamool to build a better Bengal, a new India.

From Bloc to Trinamool to heal old wounds

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Five years ago Samsul Haq got a hero`s welcome when he alighted from a train in New Cooch Behar station. He was taken around the district in a decorated, festooned car by local Forward Bloc leaders for having survived the 2008 police firing at Dinhata in which five of his comrades were killed.

A bullet had pierced Samsul`s knee and he is unable to walk normally.

Today, the 42-year-old unemployed man feels neglected and betrayed and hopes that the Bloc would be obliterated from the Cooch Behar zilla parishad. Samsul joined Trinamool last year. He says that only Mamata Banerjee`s party after winning the zilla parishad in the district, cared for him and other physically-challenged persons like him.

“Five Forward Bloc workers died when the police fired at us at the subdivisional office in Dinhata. I fell to the ground when a bullet pierced my left leg. I was treated at the SSKM Hospital in Calcutta for three months,” Samsul said.

Samsul used to work in a local sawmill but after his leg injury he could not carry on with the job. Local Bloc leaders gave him the job of a night guard at the local regulated market.

“I worked there for three months, without pay. When I insisted on an appointment letter, I was asked to leave. Since then, not one Bloc leader has contacted me,” Samsul said. “They do not need me anymore.”

Samsul stopped working as a guard and he now ekes out a living by doing odd jobs at the sawmill. His son who studies in Class IX works on a small piece of land that they own.

“I have heard that the Bloc had given some cash to the families of the five who were killed. But no help has come for me, from the party or the government. I was just a pawn”. After Mamata Banerjee came to power, I felt that I should join her. I want justice from the new government” he said.


The article was originally published in The Telegraph.

1000 days at a glance: Empowering rural Bengal by empowering Panchayats

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In the last two and half years of All India Trinamool Congress led Ma, Mati, Manush Government in West Bengal, the grassroots bodies have been empowered through Panchayat and rural development. West Bengal has infact been honoured with global awards for rural development and also secured the top rank among states in the implementation of 100-days job scheme. Ratio for reservation of seats for women in each tier of Panchayat has been enhanced from one-third to half after amendment of West Bengal Panchayat Act. The government has facilitated the participation of OBCs in the Panchayats through reservations.

Here are some of the achievements of the Panchayat and Rural Development department:

Villagers build their own villages: A new milestone has been laid upon in 100-days work project. Man-days which have been created during the last two- and-a-half years are greater than the sum total of man-days created through preceding years. During the financial year 2012-13 man-days of 20 crore 18 lakh have been created. During 2012-13, we have stood first in terms of spending 107% of the alloted fund Job has been provided to 58 lakh of families. Total expenditure was Rs. 4,688 crore. West Bengal has created unparalleled precedence by making man-days out of 109% of Labour budget.

Special status for Bankura: Award from the Union Ministry of Rural Development by co-ordinating other projects with 100-days work and creating model for enhancement of scope for earning livelihood in poor families of villages.

Path itself is the Pathfinder: A unique and unparalleled initiative has been taken up for creating 16,000 km length of road which can be used in all seasons in each of the gram panchayats on 7 January, 2014. This special drive will create about 3 crore 50 lakh of man-days across the state.

Gram Sadak Yojana: While up to 2010-11 an average of 1,069 km of road has been constructed under the Gram Sadak Yojana, the road-length constructed during the tenure of this government becomes 1,978 km on average. Up to January 2013-14 work for construction of 255 nos. of roads under the project of Gram Sadak Yojana covering 1,016 km moving the expenditure of Rs. 558 crore has been complete.

Nirmal Bangla: By the year 2017 “Sanitary Lavatories” are being constructed in all the houses with the objective of building up Nirmal Bangla. Work for lavatories, solid and liquid waste management in schools and Anganwadi centres is going on.

My Home, My Right: The work for construction of houses for the rural poor families with the assistance of IAY Scheme is going on at a rapid pace. During the period of last two-and-a-half years more than 4.5 lakh of dwelling houses have been constructed. Assistance for building houses under Adhikar Prokalpo was provided to 25 thousand families in 11 districts.

Anandadhara Bahichhe Bhubane: More than 50 thousands Self-help Groups were constituted in two years under the Anandadhara Scheme. During the last two-and-a-half year total amount of credit received by the Self-help Groups amounts to Rs. 1,232 crore.

New ray of hope to the destitute, old, widow and differently-abled people: Allowance under the National Social Assistance Scheme is now much more easily available. 10.68 lakh of rural families are getting old-age pension. 7.39 lakh of rural women are getting widow pension. 38 thousand differently abled pepole are also getting allowance. The amount of allowance for the widows and differently-abled people has been increased to Rs. 600 per month. Age limit for old-age pension has been reduced from 65 to 60.

Click here for the full list of achievements.

1000 days at a glance: Remodeling the education sector

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During the 34 years of Left Front rule, the education infrastructure in West Bengal was in doldrums. In the last two and a half years, a lot of lost ground has been reclaimed by the Trinamool Congress led West Bengal Government. Despite the paucity of funds, a lot of focus has been laid on the education sector. From setting up new universities to the upgradation of schools and colleges, the achievements in this sector have been enormous.

Here are some of the achievements by the department in the 1000 days of Ma, Mati, Manush Government:

School Education

  • 7.5 Crore high quality books with the modified syllabus has been distributed to school children studying in Class V to Class VIII

  • 1363 Secondary schools upgraded to Higher Secondary schools and 263 Junior schools upgraded to Secondary schools

  • 22,735 primary school teachers have been newly recruited; Government plans to further recruit 27,572 secondary school teachers

  • 105 hostels are being setup for girl students in 11 underdeveloped districts

  • 40 residential schools and 11 Primary Teacher Training Institute are under the process of being established

  • 34 Girls hostels have already been constructed: 17 in West Medinipur, 9 in Bankura and 8 in Purulia

  • 40,113 classrooms have been constructed by the government recently

  • About 98% schools now have lavatories with 82% of schools having separate toilets for girls

  • 1107 schools which have been upgraded to Higher Secondary schools have received Rs. 50,000 as Library grant and Rs. 2,00,000 has been given to additional 3,770 schools each

  • 1094 Para-Teachers for Santhali Language have recruited for West Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia

Higher Education

  • 6 new universities have been established by government; Kazi Nazrul University in Asansol and Panchanan Verma University in Cooch Behar have already started functioning from July 2013

  • Second Campus of North Bengal University has been established in Jalpaiguri and four new post-graduate courses have been started from August 2013

  • First Women`s University in eastern part of India is in the process of being setup and will start functioning from July 2014

  • Rs. 10 Crore and 10 acres of land has been given to Presidency University to establish a second campus

  • 38 government colleges were setup in 66 years before this government took charge; 31 new government colleges have been established across 13 districts in 34 months by this government

  • 4 new government colleges have been established Jangalmahal area which will start operating from July 2014

  • Government has started giving regular monthly salaries to both part time teachers and contractual full time teachers

  • Presidency University received the honour of `Institution of National Eminence` by University Grants Commission in December 2012

Technical Education

  • Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Ms. Mamta Banerjee, government has setup West Bengal skill development mission

  • West Bengal stood first in All India Skill Competition

  • Government is spending Rs. 30 Crore for skill development of 97,000 handloom workers through West Bengal Handloom Circuit Development Scheme 2014

  • Government is planning to setup ITI in each block; 38 have started functioning and work is in progress in 88 blocks

  • Government has signed an MoU with Raymonds and Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) to train 6,800 tailors

  • Government has signed 2 MoUs:

(a) ILFS to provide training to 5000 people in manufacturing and services sector

(b) ASSOCHAM to facilitate training of 5000 people in designer jewelry manufacturing

  • 1,05,000 people have been trained under the Skill Development Initiative since 2011

  • 62 centers have been established to provide CAD/CAM training

For the complete list of achievements, click here.

 

1000 days at a glance: Achievements in Healthcare

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During the 34 years of Left Front rule, the health infrastructure in West Bengal was in doldrums. In the last two and a half years, a lot of lost ground has been reclaimed by the Trinamool Congress led West Bengal Government. Despite the paucity of funds, a lot of focus has been laid on the Health Department, headed by the Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee herself. From surprise visits to hospitals to setting up of fair price medicine shops, Health Department has achieved a lot in the last 34 months.

Here are some of the achievements by the department in the 1000 days of Ma, Mati, Manush Government:

Fair price medicine shops – a model for the entire country: Across the state, 63 fair price medicine shops have been opened on the PPP model. Through these shops, discounts on medicines from 48% to 72% are available. Till February 2014, as many as 52 lakh people have benefited through this. Medicines amounting to Rs 213 crore have been sold during this time period, providing discount to the tune of Rs 130 crore. Besides, 47 fair price diagnostic centres are also being opened on the PPP model.

Remarkable progress in respect of a few health indexes: There has been a 20% decrease in the mortality rate of mothers during childbirth, and institutional delivery has risen to 79%.

Expansion of Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) and setting up of Sick Newborn Stabilisation Units (SNSUs): The number of SNCUs has been enhanced from 6 to 37, and 198 new SNSUs have been set up, during the tenure of this government. 37 Critical Care Units are being set up during the tenure of our government, of which seven have already been opened.

New multi-specialty hospitals in districts: During the tenure of our government, 34 multi-specialty hospitals are being opened in the districts:

  • Chhatna, Onda, Barjora and Bishnupur in Bankura district
  • Huthmura and Raghunathpur in Purulia district
  • Bolpur, Suri and Rampurhat in Birbhum district
  • Salboni, Debra, Ghatal, Jhargram, Nayagram II and Gopiballavpur in Paschim Medinipur district
  • Nandigram, Egra and Panskura in Purba Medinipur district
  • Kakdwip, Metiabruz, Baruipur, Diamond Harbour and MR Bangur Hospital in South 24 Parganas district
  • Sagardighi, Jangipur and Domkal in Murshidabad district
  • Chanchal in Malda district
  • Gangarampur and Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur district
  • Islampur and Raigunj in Uttar Dinajpur district
  • Falakata, Jalpaiguri and Mal (in the Dooars) in Jalpaiguri district

Of these, work for 13 hospitals has already started, and work orders for 21 others have been issued.

Supply of free medicines and unveiling of healthcare facilities: During the tenure of this government, free medicines are being supplied to all privacy and rural healthcare centres. The budget provision on this head is also being doubled. Cutting across economic backgrounds, treatment, pathological examinations, medicines, diet and arranging for easy transportation to hospitals have been made available free of cost to all pregnant mothers and children up to the age of one year in the state.

Setting up of new Health Districts: Seven new Health Districts have been established in Nandigram, Diamond Harbour, Basirhat, Jhargram, Asansol, Bishnupur and Rampurhat.

Sisusathi Prokalpo: Free of cost surgery for children affected by congenital heart diseases has been introduced in three private hospitals, including SSKM, under Sisusathi Prokalpo.

Special emphasis on paediatric treatment: Thirty one nutrition rehabilitation centres have been set up under the government-run healthcare system for the first time ever for children affected by malnutrition. A human milk bank named Madhur Sneha has been opened at SSKM Hospital. This is a first for eastern India.

First cord blood bank: A cord blood bank has been established in Kolkata, the first of its kind in the eastern region. A special type of cell, called stem cell, will be collected from cord blood and be preserved after delivery at the School of Tropical Medicine. The bank has been set up at a cost of Rs 2 crore. Later, this stem cell will come handy in treating many complicated diseases such as diabetes, kidney and liver dysfunctions, paralysis and cancer.

Click here to read the full list of achievements.

Trinamool takes the art of slogans to the next level

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With the Lok Sabha Election at the doors, Trinamool Congress, as usual has outflanked its opposition with political rhymes that are being displayed through graffiti all over the state. Whether it is the door-to-door campaign or wall graffiti, the candidates of the party have easily made a mark in the hearts of the voters.

The party is projecting various achievements of the West Bengal Government in the last three years. Hard facts are being communicated to the public as to how the Trinamool Government worked for the development of West Bengal during the last 34 months. Various path breaking schemes – like the Kanyashree, the Yuvashree, the success in 100-days job scheme etc. – are being highlighted through graffiti and posters across the state.

One such rhyme which is doing the rounds on wall graffiti across the State is:

Hath-Haturi-Kaste-Tara

Ebar hobe Bharat Chara

Futbe na ar Padma phul

Bharat Gorbe Trinamool

 Another slogan that has been coined by Didi herself is:

 Banglar Disha

Bharoter Poth

Trinamool Gorbe

Bharat er Bhobisyot

The popular slogans that have been used since 2011 are in prominence again. They are:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gifGhasher upor Jora Phul

Bangla Banchabe Trinamool

and

 Chup Chap Phul e chhap

With slogans, message of development and personal connect with the voters both online and offline, Trinamool campaign for the Lok Sabha elections 2014 clearly covers 360 degrees of communication.

Development of Alipurduar is my priority: Trinamool Chairperson at Birpara

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It was intended to be a workers` convention but it turned out to be a massive public rally. Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee`s meeting at Birpara saw a turnout in thousands, while people were waiting outside the enclosure where Didi was addressing the party workers. Attended by people of all communities, religions, castes and tribes, the meeting was a huge success.

Three leaders of a separatist group demanding Greater Coochbehar today gave up their demand for a separate state and joined Trinamool. A vocal supporter of United Bengal, Trinamool Chairperson slammed those who were hatching conspiracies to divide North Bengal into separate parts. She categorically said that every district in North Bengal has their distinct identity and should not be meddled with. She asked the separatists to pursue development agenda instead of playing politics of bloodshed.

Ms. Banerjee also informed the audience that the process of bifurcation of Jalpaiguri into Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri is in process. The bifurcation would speed up developmental and administrative work. She said decisions like these should remain with the State and the people should decide the fate of a State, not the Centre. Didi also demanded that States should be empowered and dictats of the Centre in every matter will not be tolerated.

Ms. Banerjee laid a lot of stress on the progress made in the field of education and health in Alipurduar. She highlighted that a college has been set up at Birpara and an ITI was being set up in every block. Every block would get a health centre, she added. She also said that the Adivasis living in Bengal now have the privilege of pursuing education in their own language.

The Chairperson also highlighted the initiatives taken by the West Bengal Government for the benefit of the tea garden workers. She said a Monitoring Committee has been formed for tea gardens that will immediately try to look into reopening locked out tea gardens. She said the welfare of tea garden workers was supreme on her mind. Incidentally, the Chief Minister today mediated in the reopening of Indong Tea Estate in Dooars, where 1127 workers have got their jobs back.

Will rebuild Darjeeling as a global brand: Trinamool Chairperson at Gorubathan

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Addressing the party workers at a meeting in Gorubathan, the Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee today said that she will rebuild Darjeeling as a global brand. Asking people to vote for Bhaichung Bhutia, she said that local leaders of the Hills only cared for power and never work for the people.

Citing how she rushed to the aid of the people in Darjeeling after the 2011 earthquake and Bijanbari bridge, she said no other leader has done that. She also questioned why local leaders who opposed Bhaichung Bhutia`s candidature, had to rely on a candidate from Delhi for elections.

Transcript of the Chairperson`s speech:

I welcome all the people from Hills hailing from different communities. We are all one. I am thankful that you all made it to this meeting today.

Bhaichung Bhutia is the best candidate for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat. This is the first time we are contesting from the Darjeeling and that too with a good candidate. Please give him your full support. The Trinamool Congress symbol is Ghaser opor jora phul. It means Eki brinte duti kusum Hindu Musalman, Muslim tar nayan moni, Hindu tahar pran. It also means we are all one. It signifies that plains and Hills should co-exist in harmony.

I have lost count of the number of times I have visited North Bengal. All the people of Darjeeling know me and love me. I am in very good terms with the tea garden workers. There is nothing better than staying together.

There are some leaders who always create trouble. People will reject them. Hills are very close to my heart. The people here are very good. It is some political leaders who create all the trouble. Those who will try to crush me down will be crushed themselves. This is the first time I have come to the Hills asking for votes. After the earthquake in 2011, I was the first person to visit the region. We went to Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong. We visited the Hills after the Bijanbari Bridge collapsed. We gave financial aid to families of the victims.

I want Darjeeling to prosper. I wish to work for this place. Some local leaders often rush to Delhi at the drop of a hat. They do not have time to spend with the local people belonging to different communities. Ask them how many times they have visited Kalimpong or Kurseong. They visit Delhi with the plan of separating Darjeeling. Some people are just after power. They want to wear the crown. They do not work for the people.

I love the people of the hills. I want them to move forward. Darjeeling has immense potential. I want to rebuild Darjeeling as a global brand. We are working to promote Tea Tourism. We are helping the workers of the closed tea gardens. There is so much tourism potential. We have already developed Lamahata. Even Gorubathan has potential.

We have already created Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Why are they still asking for Gorkhaland? First do some development. Can a baby straight away go for higher education without completing primary education? They can use harsh words against me. I will not reciprocate. Can a sister speak out against her brothers?

To speed up development in the region, we have set up a branch secretariat – Uttar Kanya – at Siliguri. We are carrying out development projects in every sector. ITIs are coming up at Mangpo, Gorubathan and Kalimpong.  We have given Rs. 455 crore for drinking water projects in the area.

These local leaders do not work for people and bring outsiders from Delhi to contest elections. They shout so much for Gorkha identity, but could not find a single candidate from the Hills? I tried to call them thrice about the candidature but there was no response. That is when we chose Bhaichung. He lives in Bengal. He is from the Hills. He is an Indian.

If there is peace in Darjeeling, business will flourish, tourism will prosper. Even youth can concentrate on sports. Unemployed youths can get jobs if tourism flourishes, if people flock to Hills. That is possible if there is peace. We will not allow politics of bloodbath in Darjeeling. We want peace and prosperity for the people of Hills. Some people do not want me to come to the Hills. I am ready to sacrifice my life for the people of the Hills. I belong to both Hills and plains.

There are people who had asked for votes five years back and then left to never come back. I am here with you for 365 days. How much MPLAD fund has been spent in the Darjeeling region? I have asked Bhaichung if he becomes MP, he must spend MPLAD for opening schools, colleges and for development of people. Vote for us and see how we develop Darjeeling. The Hills are my heart. Kanchenjunga will shine again. Trinamool will be the decisive factor in forming the next government at the Centre. We have included a special package for Darjeeling in our Manifesto. We will not allow the politics of Bandhs.

Local leaders are busy eating Dilli ka laddoo. It is useless to vote for CPI(M)-Congress-BJP. The Centre is already taking away all our money. We don`t beg for alms. We ask for our rights. Hum honge kamyab.

Thank you.