April 4, 2014
Bengal, not Gujarat, is the model for India: Trinamool Chairperson at Kulti
Trinamool Chairperson Ms. Mamata Banerjee today held a campaign rally at Kulti in support for the Asansol candidate Dola Sen. She was accompanied by Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Mithun Chakraborty. Braving the heat, thousands of people of people had gathered at the venue, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, age or gender to listen to Didi. Speaking about the candidate, Didi said Dola Sen was a hard worker who has been a part of many movements along with her.
Speaking before the Chairperson Mithun Chakraborty compared the economic situation in Bengal to that of a tenant. He demanded to know why should a new tenant pay the dues of an old tenant. Slamming the Left for incurring huge debt, Mithun said he agreed to become an MP because he sincerely believes Didi is doing good work in Bengal. Mithun Chakraborty also slammed the BJP for their seasonal appearances only during elections. He raised the slogan: Har ghar Didi, baar baar Didi. Mithun added: Botam tipbo eikhane, sarkar gorbo oikhane.
During her speech, the Chairperson did not spare the Opposition. She talked at length about the communal policies of BJP and why Bengal model of governance is better than Gujarat. She also slammed the secret understanding between CPI(M), Congress and the BJP to defeat Trinamool. She minced no words to express her displeasure at the Centre for not providing funds to Bengal. She also highlighted the developmental work the Government has been doing despite the paucity of funds.
Excerpts from the Chairperson`s speech:
Thank you all for being present here. Kulti voted for Poriborton in 2011 elections. This time you must vote for Trinamool. The Left Front Govt blocked water pipeline project in Kulti. They ask why there is shortage of drinking water in Kulti. They should ask themselves why they stopped water pipeline project. Irrespective of caste, creed or religion, we work for the people.
As Railway Minister, I had promised a railway wagon factory for this region. It is under construction. As Rail Minister, I started the work of modernising Chittaranjan Locomotives and IISCO. IT hubs are coming up at Bardhaman, Asansol, Durgapur. We have set up a university named after Kazi Nazrul Islam at Asansol. We have rejuvenated ECL. It is now making profits. We have formed a separate commissionerate for this region. Law and order has improved in this region.
NTPC power project was on the verge of shutting down. We gave them land, without acquisition. DVC is expanding its units in Bengal. We will get investment of Rs 10000 crore. SAIL is also investing Rs 20000 crore in Bengal. A lot of work is being done in Bardhaman district. There will be a huge employment generation.
The Centre took away Rs 76000 crores. They are not releasing Rs 1400 crores for 100-days job scheme. The Centre is depriving us of funds. They do not want us to carry on developmental work. The CPI(M) exploited the coal belt of Asansol. The Congress is anti-people, they only hike prices. Prices of everything have shot up during Congress rule. But price of human life has fallen in this regime.
Those who support riots can never become PM. They can use money power for marketing. But people won`t vote for them. We have given second language status to Urdu, Gurmukhi, Al Chiki, Nepali. Bengal Govt has declared Chhat Puja as state holiday. From Hills to Jangalmahal, we care for all. No matter what their caste or religion is.
Gujarat is not the national model. Bengal is the true model. Gujarat does not have such a huge debt burden like us. Bengal has only two ports, out of which one needs dredging. Gujarat has many ports. The growth in revenue generation in Gujarat is 15%. In Bengal it is 31%. Bengal is better than Gujarat. Infant mortality rate in Gujarat is 42. In Bengal it is 31. I love the people of Gujarat, not those who orchestrate riots.
The Left distributed 12000 pattas in 2009-10. We distributed 2 lakh pattas in two and a half years. We have set up 31 government colleges in the last two and a half years. CPI(M) destroyed Bengal, Congress neglected Bengal. BJP is a communal, divisive party. Do not vote for them. CPI(M)-Congress-BJP are together. They are one and the same. We do not want riots. We want peace. We want prosperity.
We have given scholarships to 57 lakh students. We have started reservations for backward classes. We have given 50% reservation to women at Panchayat level. We have initiated Kanyashree scheme for girls. We quit UPA because we are against FDI in multi-brand retail. We are with small traders.
BJP comes to Bengal only when there are elections and divides people on religious lines. Where does the BJP hide during Durga Puja? We participate in all festivals, whether Durga Puja or Holi. I participate in Eid, Christmas, Guru Parab as well as Kali Puja. This is the path shows by Ramakrishna.
BJP-Congress-CPI(M) have a secret understanding. They want to eat into Trinamool`s votes. Votes cannot be bought with money. If the media could influence voters, we would not have won Panchayat elections. People are with us. I will work for the people as long as I live. People`s trust is an asset in politics. We can never break it.
Stay well, stay healthy. Vote for joraphool.
