Trinamool Chairperson Mamata Banerjee today addressed a public meeting at Itahar in Uttar Dinajpur district (Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency). She said that the country needs a people’s government. She also said that United India Government will be formed at the Centre.
Highlights of her speech:
My best wishes to all on the occasion of Bengali New Year. Shubho Nobo Borsho
Whenever any disaster occurs, our government always stands by the people. From floods to accidents – we always work for the welfare of the people
From setting up Karma Tirthas to ITIs, Kisan Mandis to paddy procurement centres – we have taken a lot of initiatives for this district
As Railway Minister, I had started the Eklakhi-Balurghat line. I sanctioned the Gazole-Itahar, Raiganj-Itahar, Itahar-Buniyadpur lines also. But the Centre has left these projects incomplete. When our government comes to power at Centre, we will complete these projects
I had started several trains like Janmabhoomi, Raja Rani, Padatik, Kanchan Kanya and others
North Bengal was neglected in the past. We created a new secretariat Uttar Kanya in north Bengal
We have set up the Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court in Jalpaiguri. People of north Bengal will no longer have to go Kolkata for administrative work
A new university and medical college have been sanctioned for this district. Loans worth Rs 4,000 crore have been sanctioned for small industries and subsidies worth Rs 2,000 crore have been given to them
We have taken measures for exporting Tulaipanji rice (famous rice variety of Uttar Dinajpur). We are also promoting the jute industry of Dinajpur. Many industry clusters have been set up
We have registered 2 lakh folk artistes under Lok Prasar Prakalpa
We have removed the income ceiling for Kanyashree scheme. All girls in government schools are now eligible for the scholarship
We have distributed Sikshashree scholarships to 68 lakh SC/ST students. Caste certificates are now issued within a month
Getting caste certificates is a cumbersome process – because of the 50 year old documents that need to be provided. If we come to power, we will review this process
We have distributed scholarships to 2 crore minority students.
We have encouraged 70,000 minority students to take up higher education
Khajna tax and mutation fees have been waived for agricultural land. We have waived off mutation fees on inherited land. We bear the full cost of crop insurance for farmers.
We have started the Krishak Bandhu scheme. Farmers will receive Rs 5,000 per acre of land annually in two installments
When a farmer passes away, their family will receive financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh
From birth to death, we have a scheme for every stage of life for the welfare of people
From free healthcare to free education, rice at Rs 2/kg, to renovation of crematoriums and burial grounds – we have done it all
We have renovated and developed the pilgrimage sites across Bengal, including Pakhiralay in this district
We believe in Sarva Dharma Samannay. We do not endorse politics of division
This election will decide who will form the government at Centre. This is not an election for the formation of government in Bangla
People ask what has Arpita Ghosh done? Our Trinamool MPs have been vocal on people’s issues in Parliament – from price rise to NRC, against citizenship bill, demonetisation
Arpita Ghosh met with an accident few years ago. She was hospitalised for a year. She had no chances of survival but miraculously survived
Arpita is a prominent theatre personality. She is a fighter. She speaks in favour of Bangla in Parliament. She always asks me for more developmental projects for Balurghat constituency
In the last five years, BJP has not done anything for the people. They have failed to create roti-kapda-makaan for the people
They promised to create 10 crore jobs in five years. Instead, 2 crore jobs lost in 2017-18
They wanted to sell off Air India. We fought against it. BSNL employees are not getting their salaries. Jet Airways is on the verge of closure
We have given job security to contractual and casual workers. Retirement of college professors has been increased
We are issuing Swasthya Sathi smart card to women, recognising them as the guardian of the family. More than 7.5 crore people will be entitled to health insurance, with a cover of Rs 5 lakh annually
More than 12,000 farmers committed suicide across the country. This government committed crimes against Dalits, minorities
The country needs a people’s government. Bengal and UP will decide who will form the next government at Centre. The United India Government will come to power
Every vote counts. Do not waste your vote by voting for the Congress. Neither BJP nor the Congress can form the government on their own. Voting for the CPI(M) will strengthen the BJP
Congress has adjustment with BJP in places like Jangipur and Baharampur
Modi used to say he is chaiwallah. For four and a half years, he was busy touring the world. Now he says, he is chowkidar. We do not need a chowkidar. We need a leader for the country
We respect and salute real chowkidars but not those who sell-off the country, divide people and carry our propaganda and armed rallies
I am also Hindu. We believe in the Hinduism preached by Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
Weapons look good on Maa Durga’s hands, not yours. That is the difference between gods and humans. How can you throw the model code of conduct to the wind?
Hinduism is a liberal religion. Hinduism teaches us to be tolerant. Hinduism teaches us about humanism.
Remember, Islam is also a religion of piety. We respect diversity. We respect all faiths. That is what communal harmony means. We believe in unity
I attend Durga Puja, Eid, Christmas, Guru Parab, Chhath Puja as well as festivals of Jains. This is our culture and heritage
I am ready to sacrifice my life but won’t allow politics of hate and division
The twins, Jagai-Madhai, are saying they will implement NRC in Bengal. Why have you excluded names of Bengali Hindus in Assam NRC? Why have you excluded Biharis, Gorkhas?
After the draft NRC was published, our delegation was not allowed to enter Assam and was assaulted. But we have not given up our fight
Under Citizenship Amendment Bill, you will become a foreigner for six years. There is no guarantee that they will give citizenship to you after that. Everyone who came to India till March 25,1971, is an Indian citizen
If BJP comes to power, Dr Ambedkar’s Constitution will be destroyed. Democracy will be destroyed. You will lose your freedom
We have to remove the riot-monger from his chair. We have to establish a pro-people government at Centre
