BJP will lose its deposits if elections are held on ballot papers: Abhishek Banerjee

All India Trinamool Congress organised protest marches across Bangla today against the rising prices of fuel and other essential commodities. Leading the protests in South Kolkata was TMYC National President Abhishek Banerjee.

After the protest march from Golpark to Hazra, he addressed the gathering. He said that if elections are held on ballot papers, BJP will lose its deposits.

Highlights of his speech:

All of you are aware that yesterday, our chief minister, Mamata Banerjee had a meeting with the Trinamool Congress MLAs wherein a multi-pronged approach to ensure better reach of the State Government’s various schemes was taken.

It is on her instructions that we are organising these protests today, against the sudden spike in the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas brought about by the Central Government. Despite being organised at short notice, you all have participated whole-heartedly in the protests and therefore we are thankful to all of you.

Unlike the BJP Government at the Centre, our government in the State did not come about with the help of the CRPF and the Election Commission.

Our government was elected to power with the help of the love and affection of the people of Bangla. Therefore even if the BJP Government wants, it will not succeed in toppling our government.

Our loss in the just-concluded Lok Sabha election did not come about because of loss of popularity but because of the transferring of the CPI(M) votes to the BJP.

Despite the decrease in the number of seats from 34 in 2014 to 22 in 2019, our vote percentage increased from 39 per cent to 44 per cent. Out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in Bangla, Trinamool Congress has increased the vote percentage by 5 per cent in 41 seats.

Also, all the party offices captured by the BJP over the last few days have been captured back by us. Let me warn others, if you start doing politics using force, be prepared to go all the way.

Let me warn the BJP, you may have more than 300 MPs in Parliament but each of our 22 MPs is capable of putting up a fight with 20 of yours.

One must remember that despite the BJP, CRPF, Election Commission, Reserve Bank of India, CBI, ED and Income Tax Department on one side and the leader of our State, Mamata Banerjee alone on the other, we have managed to increase our vote percentage 44 per cent and halted the BJP’s shameless effort at bringing about religious polarisation in our State in its tracks.

The BJP has swept through Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh but has been stopped from achieving its target here.

Our fight will continue, for which we will give a renewed call at the annual July 21 (Ekushe July) rally. Mamata Banerjee’s Ekushe July rally in 1993 was for enforcing the ‘no identity card no vote’ policy, her rally in 2019 will be for bringing back voting through ballot paper in order to save democracy as we have caught the BJP’s tactics of hacking EVMs. The BJP will lose its deposits if elections are held on ballot papers.

Like so many times previously, we have once again hit the streets to protest against the burden brought on to the common man’s shoulder by increasing the prices of fuels. This is what Trinamool Congress is all about – always by the side of the people, unlike other political parties.

For every serious issue that the country is facing, like rising unemployment, farmer suicides and others, Narendra Modi has only one answer – chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’. This is what Bharatiya Janata Party is all about.

The BJP may chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ or ‘Jai Maa Kali’’ as much as they want, but will only go for ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Joy Bangla’ and ‘Vande Mataram’. We don’t confuse politics with religion.

My best wishes to all my Muslim brothers and sisters on the occasion of Eid tomorrow, and my best wishes are also there with all my Hindu brothers and sisters who celebrated the ‘Tirodhan Dibas’ of Baba Loknath yesterday.

On June 6, Trinamool Congress workers will organise massive protest marches on the issue of fuel price hike in all the 144 wards of Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

We won’t stop till we throw the BJP out of power. We will protest inside Parliament, outside Parliament, in blocks, cities, towns and villages.

I ask all of you to rise up against the BJP, which vandalised the statue of a person as great as Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar.

The time for resting is over. We must all gear up to fight with all our might and ensure that in 2021, the BJP is given a burial through democratic means, the BJP which is out to destroy the culture of our State.

The people of the country have also realised that there is only one leader who can take the fight to the BJP, and that leader is Mamata Banerjee.

The BJP leaders are saying that Mamata Banerjee would be sent 10 lakh postcards with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ written on them. But before they could do that, we have sent them 25 lakh WhatsApp messages containing ‘Joy Bangla’, ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘Mamata Banerjee Zindabad’.

Modi Government is the biggest threat to the country: Mamata Banerjee at Pandua

Trinamool Chairperson Mamata Banerjee today addressed a public meeting at Pandua in Hooghly constituency. In her speech she said that the Modi Government is the biggest threat to the country.

She added that it is our misfortune that Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister. She urged people to defeat the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Highlights of her speech:

  • Modi Government is the biggest threat to the country
  • They have destroyed all the constitutional institutions. Democracy is under attack
  • It is our misfortune that Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister
  • The CPI(M) committed torture against Opposition workers for 34 years. The harmads have become BJP’s ustads
  • Those who orchestrate riots, practice divisive politics, do not deserve to rule the country
  • The BJP claims it is a Hindu party. How can that be? Hinduism is an ancient religion. BJP was formed only a few years ago
  • BJP uses Hinduism for politics. They bring shame to our Gods and Goddesses
  • Neither Hindus, nor Muslims participate in riots. Leaders like Narendra Modi organise riots for political reasons
  • What have they done in the last five years to deserve your vote?
  • We work for people of all communities, castes and creed. We do not discriminate against anyone
  • Like you see ‘440V – Danger’ signs, BJP is also dangerous for the country
  • Those who were initiated in politics through riots are saying mothers in Bengal are worried about the safety of their children
  • Modi is a blatant liar. He is spreading falsehoods about Bengal without any homework
  • They are distributing money. They are luring people to their rallies by offering money
  • They are organising rallies with maces and swords. This is not Bengal’s culture. Have you ever seen such rallies during Basanti Puja?
  • Falsehoods and propaganda is their only strength.
  • The Prime Minister, instead of bolstering peace, is inciting people into violence
  • Some untoward incidents happened. After investigation, CID found out that those were cases of suicide. But they are claiming those are political murders. They are trying to spread tension
  • Like Kalidas axed the branch he was sitting on, Modi is also dividing the country
  • CPI(M), Congress and BJP have come together in Bengal
  • He intimidates everyone – from industrialists to media houses. Even other political leaders are afraid of him. But I have struggled against the CPI(M)’s brutal regime. I am not afraid of anyone
  • Narendra Modi does not visit Bengal when there are floods, droughts or any other problem. Like a seasonal bird he comes here only during elections
  • In the name of NRC and Citizenship Amendment Bill, they want to declare you as foreigners and drive you away. Don’t let them get away with their divisive politics

 

Unlike Modi, we fulfill all the promises we make: Mamata Banerjee at Purbasthali

Trinamool Chairperson Mamata Banerjee addressed a public meeting at Purbasthali in Purba Bardhaman district.

Highlights of her speech:

  • This region was hit by a storm yesterday. We are with those who were affected. Our govt will allocate at least Rs 300 crore for relief and rehabilitation. You have nothing to worry about.
  • Bardhaman is the rice bowl of the state. We have undertaken a big project for irrigation
  • A major road project, connecting north and south Bengal, has been started.
  • A bridge is coming up that will connect Kalna and Shantipur and will improve connectivity.
  • Several ITIs and polytechnic colleges have been set up in this district. After training, the youth are also getting employment opportunities.
  • More than 60 lakh SC/ST students have received scholarships. Kanyashree scheme has been extended to universities now. More than 70 lakh girls have been empowered
  • We have waived the khajna tax and mutation fees on agricultural land. Our government bears the full cost of the crop insurance scheme for farmers.
  • Swasthya Sathi smart cards will be issued in the name of women, recognising them as the guardian of the family. 7.5 crore people will be entitled to this health insurance scheme
  • This is not an election to decide who will form the government in Bengal. This is an election for the government at Centre
  • Earlier, they used to wear half pants and run around. Now they have turned their party office into a shopping mall, with loads of money in their coffers
  • What is happening in the country? Dalits and minorities are being persecuted. More than 12,000 farmers have committed suicide.
  • Notebandi has also been a major cause of distress. It has destroyed families, industries and created chaos. Now you have an opportunity to remove this govt that has caused so much distress.
  • We fulfill the promises we make, unlike Modi Babu who is full of lies. What has he done in the last five years? He has looted people and toured the world over, while people plunged into poverty and distress.
  • Put an end to the BJP misrule. The CPM harmads have crossed over to their side and are creating trouble in the state.
  • Maa Durga has weapons in her hand, but they do not look good in the hands of humans. The BJP goons are roaming the streets with swords and maces
  • They are moving around with loads of money and trying to buy votes. Don’t fall into their trap.
  • Let every vote you cast be a tight slap for Modi and BJP
  • He only makes tall promises. He intimidates everyone, including leaders of his own party. But I am not afraid. I have struggled against the CPI(M) and I have been beaten up many times.
  • Trinamool and other regional parties will form the next government at Centre.
  • We are also Hindus. But we have never been taught to hate other religions. We can never indulge in politics of discrimination
  • They want to drive people away in the name of NRC. We will not allow this. In the name of Citizenship Amendment Bill, they want to take your citizenship away. Do not allow their conspiracies to become successful
  • Trinamool MPs have had a good performance in Parliament in the last five years

 

He promised ‘Achhey Din’, instead Modi has destroyed the country: Abhishek Banerjee at Kaliganj

All India Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee today addressed a public meeting at Kaliganj in the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha Constituency in Nadia district.

Highlights of his speech:

I welcome all present here today to this rally and showed their support for Trinamool Congress.

If woman power is behind you, no other power can harm you.

There is a huge difference between the elections that were held in 2009 and 2014, and the election being held in 2019.

Our fight is against a power that has been using government agencies like the CBI and ED to spread fear among people. Mamata Banerjee is the only leader who could not be subdued by such threats.

Mamata Banerjee has given the clarion call to drive out the BJP of Bangla.

Bangla is the land of renaissance. Bangla showed the way during the freedom struggle.

Bengal has been the force behind mass movements such as that of Ekushey July, Netai, Singur, Nandigram, Bantala, Dhantala and Keshpur.

Bangla has never tolerated divisive politics.

Bangla is the land of Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Matangini Hazra and Ram Mohan Roy. The people of today need to follow that glorious tradition.

Our fight is not only for Ranaghat or the district of Nadia, but for winning all the 42 seats in the State.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose once said, “Give me blood and I will give you freedom,” and Mamata Banerjee has now given the call to win all 42 out of 42 seats to ensure for you a progressive, peaceful, secular and developed India.

We have done a lot of developmental work.

If there is comparison made between Modi and Didi in terms of developmental work, the former will lose badly.

‘Achhey Din’ never came. GST and demonetisation destroyed the country. GDP has dropped by 2%.

The country has become financially bankrupt.

The prime minister of the country is asking for votes in the name of the army, in the name of religion.

They have taken away the savings of the poor during demonetisation. And on top of that, they have built a seven-star party head office in Delhi.

Should the youth vote for such a BJP?

In the name of ‘Acchey Din’, the prices of cooking gas, petrol, diesel and kerosene have been increased.

The prime minister used to call himself a tea-seller, now he calls himself a chowkidar. But nobody has seen him selling tea at any time. Our chief minister, on the other hand, is still her humble self – still living in a small, tile-roofed house, from where she governs the 10 crore people of the State, ensuring the wave of development reaches every one of them.

The BJP talks about ‘imam bhata’ (stipend for imams) and ‘moazeem bhata’ (stipend for moazzems) being given out of the money you pay as tax. But that’s a falsehood being spread by them.

That money is taken out of fund of the Waqf Board, as ordered by the Supreme Court of India, and the money you pay as tax, all of it is spent on the various developmental schemes that the Trinamool Government has undertaken.

Mamata Banerjee had decided to give Rs 10,000 as a grant to Durga Puja committees across the State. And what did we see? The BJP, CPI(M) and Congress ganged up the next day and filed a case against us, calling the move Muslim appeasement.

We have respect for all religions. The only religion we follow is humanism. Our job is to ensure that all people get the benefits of government schemes.

The candidates of the other parties are making a lot of promises too. But all of them will be vanquished in the coming days and will never be seen again. .

We have all seen the seasonal insects (‘shyama poka’) that come to our homes during the Diwali period, which fly away after a few days. The same is the case with the BJP leaders who are now promising you so many things.

But Trinamool Congress has always stood beside the people – on all occasions, for every reason, at all times.

‘Acchey Din’’ has come only for the son of Amit Shah, whose company’s income increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 80 crore in one year. People are disgusted because they have lost all their money.

How much black money has been recovered through demonetisation? Nothing.

After the election, the BJP must be driven out – all of us here must take this oath today.

People like Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi have fled the country after stealing huge amounts of money from the people in spite of the Chowkidar being present.

Modi is talking about ‘Make in India’ when the car he is using is made in Germany,

The government has funds for a Rs 3,000-crore statue and the bullet train project but not for social schemes.

Should you vote for the people who have terrorised the people of Nadia? The BJP is creating communal tensions between Hindus and the Muslims.

Some people are saying, Hindus are in danger while some are saying, Muslims are in danger. But if one sees things after removing the spectacles of distortion, one will realise that the whole nation is in danger.

The BJP came to power in 2014 with Swami Vivekananda supposedly in their hearts and minds but has not had the intention of giving recognition to Belur Math.

Our current prime minister has taken the country 200 years back.

Therefore vote for Mahua Moitra and through that, ensure that Mamata Banerjee become stronger. Mamata Banerjee is the only solution to all the ills that have befallen the country.

 

Kalimpong: New district created for comprehensive development

For better reach of developmental activities, the Trinamool Congress Government carved the subdivision of Kalimpong into a new district. Ever since, a lot of new activities are being carried out by the government.

New district: On February 14, 2017, Kalimpong became the 21st district of Bangla.

Health: 1 fair-price medicine shop, 1 fair-price diagnostic centre, free beds, 1 SNSU, 1 HDU

Scholarships: More than 11,000 students under Kanyashree, more than 5,000 students under Sikshashree

Higher education: 2 government degree colleges; 2 ITIs; 1 polytechnic college

100 Days’ Work: More than 58 lakh man-days created

Housing: About 2,800 people benefitted from housing schemes, including rural housing

Industry: 1 industrial park; 6 MSME clusters; 1 IT park; bank loans worth Rs 50 crore given for small-scale industry

Self-employment: 1,700 self-help groups under Anandadhara and 140 projects under Swami Vivekananda Swanirbhar Karmasuchi Prakalpa

Roads & bridges: 350 km of roads built/repaired/widened

Tourism: 8 tourist cottages built within the compound of the tourist lodge, Morgan House; Cultural Tourism Centre in Kalimpong-1 block being set up

Development boards: 16 development boards created for 16 communities in the district for the communities’ social development and cultural well-being

Samajik Suraksha Yojana: 10,000 unorganised labourers enlisted

Karmatirtha: 6 Karmatirthas built

Sports: Himal-Terai-Dooars Spots Festival being held every year with a lot of enthusiasm

 

High tide of development in Uttar Dinajpur

The district of Uttar Dinajpur has seen development in every sector, and as a result people are more than happy. Many people who are engaged in making traditional handicrafts are happy that the Trinamool Congress Government is providing them adequate help.

Health: 2 multi-superspeciality hospitals, 2 fair-price medicine shops, 3 fair-price diagnostic centres, free beds, 10 SNSUs, 2 SNCUs, 2 CCUs, 2 HDUs; medical college up in Raiganj; immunisation of 100% children achieved

Schools: 82 schools established, 59 schools’ levels upgraded; 7 model schools being set up

Scholarships: More than 1.65 lakh students under Kanyashree, more than 5.2 lakh students under Sikshashree

Higher education: Raiganj University, 1 government degree colleges, 4 ITIs, 1 polytechnic college established; 1 polytechnic college coming up

Kisan Mandi: 6 Kisan Mandis set up

100 Days’ Work: About 2.95 crore man-days created from FY 2013-14 to 2018-19

Housing: More than 1.09 lakh people benefitted from housing schemes, including rural housing

Mission Nirmal Bangla: 100% of the district is ODF

Industry: 1 industrial estate, 18 MSME clusters (including 1 MSME cluster), 1 Mega Carpet Centre, 1 turmeric processing and packaging unit

Roads & bridges: More than 1,200km of roads built/repaired/widened, 1 bridge, 1 bus terminus

Tourism: Raiganj Tourist Lodge modernised, Bhairavi Temple in Bindole, Balia Masjid, dargah at Pirpukur in Ukilpara, Karandighi Neelkuti renovated, Kulik Bird Sanctuary beautified; modernisation of North Dinajpur Museum and adding of various tourist facilities at Kulik Bird Sanctuary started

Samajik Suraksha Yojana: More than 2.74 lakh unorganised labourers enlisted

Karmatirtha: 27 Karmatirthas built

Sports: 48 multi-gyms, 10 playing fields, 8 mini indoor stadiums; Raiganj Stadium renovated, Islampur Stadium being built

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2019 will see the end of the BJP Govt at the Centre: Abhishek Banerjee at Rajganj

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee today addressed a public meeting at Belakoba Public Club Ground at Rajganj in the Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituency.

Highlights of his speech:

I am warmly welcoming to all of you for coming here to attend our meeting.

Vote for Bijoy Chandra Barman, but remember that you are actually voting for Mamata Banerjee. I am confident when the counting will be done with on May 25, the people will see the BJP wiped out from Jalpaiguri.

Remember that there is a big difference between the 2014 election and this election. In 2014, we had asked you to vote against the corrupt Congress, communal BJP and violent CPI(M).

This time, the entire country has bowed down in fear to the BJP. However, Bangla has remained steadfast in its opposition to the communal-minded BJP.

Mamata Banerjee has proved again and again that Bangla is very strong and in fact, it has always been so – right from the days of the freedom movement, when the people of Bangla have showed their character. The people of the State cannot be swayed by false propaganda.

Since they cannot fight us politically, they have taken the refuge of religion.

I do not believe in dividing people on the basis of religion. I believe in real Hinduism, in the Hinduism preached by the likes of Swami Vivekananda, not in the fake Hinduism of Yogi Adityanath, Amit Shah and Narendra Modi.

I follow the tenets of Hinduism, worship Durga and at the same time, stand beside my Muslim brothers and sisters during Eid and ask for Allah’s blessings.

As a person, I can pray to any god I want, but a an elected representative of the people, my only religion is humanism, and therefore my duty is to see to it that every person receives the benefits of the developmental schemes that form the basis of our rule in the State.

They have been fooling the people over the last five years in the name of ‘Achhe Din’.

There has been no development done in the villages of Bangla by the Central Government. The BJP has only been indulging in communal politics.

Swami Vivekananda had said, “Bohurupe sammukhe tomar, chhari kotha khunjichho Ishwar,/ Jibe prem kore jei jon, sei jon sebichhe Ishwar” [translated as “Where are you looking for God – when he is in front of you in every living being, in many different forms? Those who serve mankind (and any other living being) are serving God”]

Five years ago, Narendra Modi had asked for votes in the name of Swami Vivekananda. If he was really a saviour of the Hindu religion, as he claims to be, why didn’t he give Belur Math the recognition it deserved?

All over the country there are no jobs and so people have no money, but in Bangla, because of Mamata Banerjee, you have everything.

I will say again and again, “Chowkidar chor hain”. I dare Modi to arrest me.

All criminals have only one address, and that is Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP candidate from Cooch Behar is involved in smuggling, for example.

The BJP has said that it will win 22 seats in Bangla but I can bet that we will win all 42 seats, and that will be revealed on May 25.

I am daring the BJP to win even a single seat here.

I have always worked for the good of the people by constantly being by their side, and not been like the BJP leaders, who are only interested air-conditioned comfort.

We have seen that the prime minister is neither a chaiwallah nor a chowkidar – but Mamata Banerjee has always remained genuine, still living in that humble house of hers while managing the welfare of 10 crore people of her State.

The BJP calls itself the saviour of Hindus, but what has it really done?

We used to say the Congress is corrupt from the sky to the ground – referring to the 2G Scam and the Coal Scam. The same can be said of the BJP – there is the Rafale Scam and the Namami Ganga Scam, and others in between.

You have always supported Mamata Banerjee and she has paid you back – Jalpaiguri circuit bench, engineering and medical colleges, ITIs and so many other benefits have come solely as a result of her efforts.
.
I can see 30,000 people here – can any of you say that you have received Rs 15 lakh in your bank accounts? Of course not.

But all of you can say that you have received the benefits of schemes like Kanyashree, Yuvashree, Sabooj Sathi, Rupashree, Sabujshree, Baitarani and others – this is what the government of Mamata Banerjee does.

On Apr 18, when you go out to vote, remember to vote for the right person, vote for the respect and culture of Bangla.

In Gujarat, which is Modi’s State, the BJP won all 26 out of the 26 Lok Sabha seats in 2014, but in the 2017 Assembly elections, they lost so many seats. Therefore, if Gujarat can do it, so can you.

Netaji had once said – give me blood and I will give you freedom; now Mamata Banerjee has given the call for Bangla – give me 42 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats, and I’ll give you a progressive and secular India.

Remember that voting for the CPI(M) or the Congress would be a waste of your money, because the fight this time is between Agnikanya Didi and the communal Modi.

All the surveys are saying that Modi is not coming back to power.

The prices of cooking gas, kerosene, petrol and diesel had gone up by several times a few months back, but over the last two months, as the BJP started losing in State elections, the prices have come down. The price of platform ticket has also gone up – from Rs 2 to Rs 20.

From June 1, after the new government is formed in May, the prices of all these items would come down further and become affordable for the common man once again.

The prime minister is shamelessly using the Army for getting votes. A few days back, he asked the people to vote for his party so that he could protect the army. This is just shamelessly using the soldiers’ deaths as a result of the Pulwama massacre for one’s own advantage.

Do you know the name of any of the people who have stood against Modi in his constituency? You haven’t, because the media is scared to report.

I will say again and again, chowkidar chor hain. I dare Modi to arrest me.

Let me tell you who has stood against Modi. It is the same person, then a BSF jawan, who had released a video that had gone viral, showing the pathetic quality of the food being served to them. He was sacked as a result. He is the person who is fighting Modi.

The prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has said that he wants Modi. And Pakistan is supposed to be our enemy. Therefore our enemy wants Modi as the prime minister. The ISI, Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya, rioters and smugglers – all want Modi as the prime minister.

And all the hard-working people want Mamata Banerjee as the prime minister. This is the difference between them.

I exhort all the first-time voters of Jalpaiguri to vote for a better Bangla, a better Jalpaiguri, and for the unity and culture of Bangla.

Mamata Banerjee has not imposed a single rupee of extra tax because she can feel for the poor.

Modi doesn’t really feel for the poor. At his rallies, he just repeats word ‘garib’ like some chant, just like he chants the word ‘sena’ without really thinking of their good.

We want air and water as basic elements for survival. The BJP, on the other hand, thrives on creating divisions, and on instigating riots and communal troubles.

The BJP has realised that chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ is no longer working in their favour.

By calling themselves Ram bhakts, the BJP people are actually insulting Ram. The real Ram did a lot of sacrifice, including spending 14 years in exile.

Last year, our government had decided to give Rs 10,000 each to 28,000 Durga Puja committees in the State. Instead of supporting this decision, the BJP, CPI(M) and Congress went to court the next day, terming the move as Hindu appeasement. This is the kind of care and concern they have for the people of the State.

We give ‘imam bhata’ (stipend for imams) and ‘moazzem bhata’ (stipend for moazzems) taking from the Waqf board, as per the directions of the Supreme Court, and not from the tax you pay us.

The money you give as tax we spend for your own welfare, in the form of various development schemes that have changed your lives for the better so much.

The BJP has not sent greetings even once to the people of the State on the occasion of Durga Puja, the biggest festival in the lives of Bengalis.

If you have your Ram, we have our Durga. But your Ram is now all alone, with only the CBI and ED by his side, while by our Durga stands the entire country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Your Ram is on his way out, being chased by our Durga.

2019 will see the end of the BJP Government at the Centre.

The two Lok Sabha seats that the BJP had won in Bangla in 2014, they will lose even those two this time.

Darjeeling and Asansol will reject the BJP. True to its form, the BJP has created unrest in both Darjeeling and Asansol.

Prove your true credentials of standing for a united Bangla, by voting out the BJP. Don’t leave even a square inch of space to the opposition.

Like the BJP, I too say ‘Bharat mata ki jay’, but I say it because of my pride for my country, not for achieving narrow communal ends.

Vote for Bijoy Chandra Barman, but remember that you are actually voting for Mamata Banerjee, and therefore for the development of Jalpaiguri and of Bangla in general.

I request everyone to go out early in the morning of April 18 to the polling booths and vote for Trinamool Congress.

I end my speech by paying my respect to everyone – the elderly, the youth, the party workers, the mothers and the sisters.

Jai Hind, Vande Mataram, Trinamool Zindabad, Mamata Banerjee Zindabad, victory to Jalpaiguri, victory to Bangla

 

Only a matter of time before Trinamool is declared winner in Balurghat: Abhishek Banerjee at Kushmandi

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee addressed a public meeting at Harahar Ground in Kushmandi, which is in the Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency.

Highlights of his speech:

Seeing the enthusiasm here today, I can safety tell my leader Mamata Banerjee that the people of Balurghat are all for Trinamool Congress.

Arpita Ghosh is standing from here for the second consecutive time. Hope you all will support her and elect her.

I can see many cameras here. I challenge everyone to prove me wrong in anything that I say here today. I speak solely on the basis of facts, and don’t try to confuse people unlike some people.

Elections are happening in two constituencies in Bangla today, and I have credible information that the manner in which the people are voting, Trinamool Congress will win both the seats.

Hence out of the 42 seats, we have already won got two seats. Therefore, we need to win 40 out of 40 now.

I can say with conviction Arpita Ghosh will win by two lakh votes.

This seat, and the election in general this time, is very crucial. This fight is between our Agnikanya Didi and the communal Modi.

The BJP has scared other leaders into keeping quiet, but they couldn’t do that to Mamata Banerjee.

Nothing that Modi had promised – ‘achhe din’, two crore jobs per year, roads, engineering colleges, etc. – has come true.

In the name of ‘achhe din’, he brought about ‘notebandi’ for the people, along with all the related desperation, while he himself toured foreign countries in luxury.  

He had said ‘sabka saath sabka vikas’ and what did he do instead? Price cooking gas cylinders at more than Rs 900 a kg and build a seven-star party office in Delhi.

Two months back the price of cooking gas was Rs 977 per cylinder. Then there was a sudden climbdown. The reason was the BJP’s massive loss in five State elections.

Similarly, the prices of atta, kerosene, petrol and diesel, and rates of GST, came down.

Therefore, it has been proved that the more you defeat the BJP, the more the prices of everything will decrease.

The BJP is trying to buy out the people of Bangla, but Bangla will never allow that, whatever happens in other States.

For us, religion is personal, for practicing in our homes, and not for achieving political ends.

However, for elected representatives, there is only one religion – humanism – and their duty is to ensure that the fruits of development reach every corner of their constituency.

Trinamool Congress has nothing to learn from a party which has done nothing for the people. We have always believed in serving the people.

All of you wanted money to be spent for the development of Balurghat, and what did you see instead? Rs 3,000 crore spent on a statue, and a pittance in comparison for Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, which is for the development of girls.

Therefore the intention of Modi is only to show-off, and not to serve the people.

Modi believes in ‘Jai Shri Ram’, but only for his own ends.

The way Trinamool Congress works for the people, no party does.

Modi called himself a simple chaiwallah, but he was never a real chaiwallah, nobody had seen him selling tea; on the other hand, our Mamata Banerjee has always led a simple life – governing the 10 crore people of the State from the same humble house where she had always lived in.

During the massive floods in the State, Mamata Banerjee had visited areas in knee-deep water to know first-hand and feel for herself the miseries of the people.

With due respect to the other chief ministers of Bangla, none of them ever did this kind of work, or had this kind of involvement in the welfare of their people.

Mamata Banerjee has come to Balurghat again and again and every time, brought with her bouquets of development for the people.

People stood in long queues during demonetisation, hoping things will improve. But they are in same state, still living in poverty.

Therefore choose wisely and vote for the party which has brought development for you.  

The Centre has again and again backed out of providing any help to Bangla. The changing of the name of the State to ‘Bangla’’ has not been passed in two years.

Despite the State Government providing 40 per cent of the funds, the Centre wanted the name of the scheme to be ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’. We just wanted what was just, that the scheme be named ‘Bangla Gram Sadak Yojana’.

The BJP leaders have never cared for Bangla. They are lecturing here, giving speeches about their so-called concern for yet, yet leave alone everything else, they can’t even read a single word of Bengali.

Farmer suicides have spread across the country; 150 people have been killed while just standing in queues.

As a result of GST, many small businesses were closed, and they were owned by people of all religions, including Hindus. So is this the way you work for the welfare of Hindus, as you proudly boast of doing?

After demonetisation, black money and terrorism, which were supposed to have stopped, have only increased. An example is the Pulwama blast, where 350kg of RDX was used.

The BJP keeps note of who what eats in their homes yet was not aware of how so much explosive was smuggled into the country to cause the blast in Pulwama.

You say you work for the jawans of our country. Yet look at their State. You all know how, a few months back, a video went viral of a BSF jawan complaining about the pathetic quality of his daily food. And what was the done for him? He was sacked from his job. All of you know that the same jawan has stood against Narendra Modi in Varanasi.

I challenge Modi take action against me if I have told a lie.

I don’t stab in the back; I say whatever I have to say on the face.

Over the last five years, Arpita Ghosh has come here again and again to know about your problem, and has raised your demands in Parliament. She has come here repeatedly despite the long distance from her home.

Therefore vote for her once more this time, and be assured that there will be double the development of the last five years in the next five.

There has been development in every field, in every sector, for every person.

The prime minister had promised for everyone Rs 15 lakh, but none of you can say that you have received that amount. What did you get in its stead? Waves of development, in the form of schemes like Kanyashree, Yuvashree, Rupashree, rice at Rs 2 per kg and so many others. Mamata Banerjee always delivers on her promises.

After May 23, a new government will be formed at the Centre, and rest assured that the prices of fuels and cooking gas, and GST rates will all come down.

People like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya were allowed to loot the people’s money and escape from the country. On the other hand, Mamata Banerjee ensured that Sudipta Sen was caught, even from a far corner of Kashmir, and brought to justice.

The Centre has imposed GST on biscuits that we eat everyday at a rate of 18 per cent while on gold biscuits that only the super-rich buy, at 3 per cent. This is the real face of Modi.

Practising real Hinduism is not about teaching divisiveness, but about having confidence in its values, including that of inculcating respect for other religions.

Mamata Banerjee has done for people of all religions much more than Modi has done, even for those in BJP-ruled States.

There has been a huge improvement in the conducting of the Gangasagar Mela, and improvement in many other ways, like the creation of the Tarakeswar Develeopment Authority, construction of the international-standard Dakshineswar Skywalk, and the planning for a skywalk in Kalighat.

Modi has done a scam of Rs 3,000 crore in the name of cleaning the Ganga – Namami Gange is the name.

Yesterday, the Pakistan prime minister said Pakistan prefers Modi. And Pakistan is our enemy. The Pakistan prime minister, the ISI, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi – our enemies – all want Modi.

The BJP has sent greetings not even once on the occasion of Durga Puja, the biggest festival in the lives of Bengalis.

We give ‘imam bhata’ (stipend for imams) and ‘moazzem bhata’ (stipend for moazzems) taking from the Waqf board, as per the directions of the Supreme Court, and not from the tax you pay us.

Your money we spend on the various development schemes that have brought so much change on your lives.

Last year, our government had decided to give Rs 10,000 each to 28,000 Durga Puja committees in the State. Instead of supporting this decision, the BJP, CPI(M) and Congress went to court the next day, calling the move Hindu appeasement. This is the kind of care and concern they have for the people of the State.

By calling themselves Ram bhakts, the BJP people are actually insulting Ram. The real Ram did a lot of sacrifice, including spending 14 years in exile.

You be happy with your Ram, but we have our Durga, with whom stands the people of the entire country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. You are on your way to being chased away by our Durga.

The BJP will realise May 23 what the Trinamool is really capable of.

Vote for Trinamool Congress, vote for Arpita Ghosh, and you will see a lot more development here in the coming days. Defeat every other party.

Netaji had once said – give me blood and I will give you freedom; now Mamata Banerjee has given the call for Bangla – give me 42 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats, and I’ll give you a progressive and secular government at the Centre

Jai Hind. Namaskar.

 

 

International recognition for Utkarsha Bangla, Sabooj Sathi

“Utkarsh Bangla” and “Sabooj Sathi” projects have won the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) awards under the aegis of the United Nations.

Out of 1062 nominations in 18 categories, “Utkarsh Bangla” got the topmost award and emerged a winner in Capacity Building category.

“Sabooj Sathi” ranked in the first five as a champion project under ICT application:E-Government category.

Reacting to the development, Mamata Banerjee wrote on her Facebook page, “These projects are for our young generation – skill development training for increasing employment opportunities for 6 lakh youth every year under “Utkarsh Bangla” and environment-friendly bicycles to school going students in classes IX to XII under “Sabooj Sathi”. Nearly 1 Crore cycles are being distributed since the inception of the project.”

 

Our garbage is getting tickets in BJP: Mamata Banerjee at Falakata

Trinamool Chairperson Mamata Banerjee today addressed a public meeting in Falakata, Alipurduar. In her speech she slammed the BJP for giving ticket to a person responsible for violence in Terai-Dooars.

Highlights of her speech:

A separate district of Alipurduar was a demand of the people. We fulfilled it

People wanted a multi-super speciality hospital and university in Alipurduar

We have set up Rajbanshi and Kamtapuri Academies apart from recognising Rajbanshi, Kamtapuri, Kurukh, Nepali, Ol Chiki, Gurmukhi and several languages

We have our own health insurance scheme Swasthya Sathi, with a cover upto Rs 5 lakh. 7.5 crore people will benefit. The cards will be issued in the name of the women of the family (to empower them).

We are giving Rs 5,000 per acre annually to farmers under Krishak Bandhu scheme. We are paying the entire premium of crop insurance.

Khajna tax and mutation fees on agricultural land have been waived off.

We have spent Rs 7,000 crore to provide Kanyashree scholarships to 60 lakh girls

We have distributed cycles to 1 crore students so that they can easily go to schools

We want every section of the society to become self-sufficient

This is not an election for Bengal Assembly. This is an election for forming government Centre

People are asking for an account of the work done by Centre in the last five years

We provide rice at Rs 2/kg to people while unemployment has increased under Modi

We have created 1 crore employment opportunities, while 2 crore people lost their jobs in 2017-18

They are offering money to people to attend their rallies and vote for them. It is not their money. It is people’s money

Seasonal birds from other States are coming to Bengal during elections. They are monitoring your actions

Before 2016, they promised to reopen closed tea gardens. Did they keep their promise? No. Instead, we have opened a tea garden today

We provide 35 kg food grains (15 kg wheat and 20 kg rice) to the people of tea gardens at 47 p per kg

Chit fund scams happened during Left rule, not during our government. I dare them to prove any link of Trinamool with chit funds

The main accused leader in chit funds was sharing the stage with Modi today

He claims to be the chowkidar now. Five years ago he was chaiwala. People are saying chowkidar chor hain. I will say, chowkidar is jhoota

Bengal will show the way in future. We will play a significant role in the formation of next government

They have kept women and children in detention camps in Assam. Five Bengalis were murdered in cold-blood.

Names of 23 lakh Hindus and 20 lakh Muslims, Gorkhas, Biharis have been removed from NRC

NRC will never be implemented in Bengal

Bengal does not believe in your culture of violence and riots. We are ready to give our lives but will never support violence

You are already citizens of the country. Why would you give up your citizenship for six years? We will never allow the Citizenship Amendment Bill

BJP has sowed seeds of division in the country

He was busy touring foreign countries for five years and now is seeking votes in the name of chowkidar now

The garbage discarded by us is given tickets for elections by BJP