Trinamool ready to face any challenge: Abhishek Banerjee at Bankura

Trinamool ready to face any challenge: Abhishek Banerjee at Bankura

Posted on April 23, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Addressing thousands of people gathered in spite of immense heat, Trinammol Youth Congress President Abhishek Banerjee urged people to be beside Trinamool Chairperson Mamata Banerjee as always. Mr Banerjee was addressing at a campaign rally for the forthcoming Municipal Election 2015.

The Trinamool Youth Congress President urged the gathered mass to elect the Trinamool Congress candidates in all the 24 wards in the Bankura municipality.

Mr Banerjee said that the opposition leaders are spreading slander campaigns against Ms Mamata Banerjee through some television channels. But these people are not aware that one cannot be equal to Ms Mamata Banerjee in that manner. People are aware of the struggles of Ms Mamata Banerjee during the last 32-33 years, said Abhishek. He reminded the gathered mass that Ms Mamata Banerjee was beside the downtrodden, those seeking justice and was the voice against all undemocratic practices.

Abhishek Banerjee reminded the people that in spite of becoming the Chief Minister of West Bengal, there have been no change in the mentality of Ms Mamata Banerjee. She still travels from district to district. People in the districts had hardly seen the past two Chief Ministers, but Ms Mamata Banerjee has visited the Hills and the Jangalmahals numerous times, brought peace and resulted in development for these areas.

Abhishek urged the opposition to compete in developmental works, leaving aside the campaigns of slander. He said that Trinamool Congress was ready to take such challenges.

MPs Derek O’Brien, Moonmoon Sen and singer-activist Indranil Sen were present on the occasion.

Municipal elections 2015: Trinamool’s massive campaign across Bengal

Posted on April 23, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Trinamool Congress held massive campaigns for the Municipality Elections 2015 from Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas to Siliguri in North Bengal, from Purulia town in the west to Bongaon in the east with equal importance and dedication.

Senior leaders including the party All India General Secretary, the party Secretary General, the President of the Trinamool Youth Congress, elected representatives in the Parliament and the state Assembly held road shows, mass meetings and led door-to-door campaign in all the 91 municipalities were election will be held.

Goutam Deb leads a padayatra at Siliguri

Tribal people supports Trinamool at campaign rally in North Bengal

Incidentally, Trinamool Congress has already gained majority in three municipalities – Gayeshpur in Nadia and Arambagh and Tarakeswar in Hooghly.

MP Prasun Banerjee at road show in Dum Dum

The last few weeks saw extensive campaigns by mass leaders like Subrata Bakshi, Partha Chatterjee, Suvendu Adhikari, Subrata Mukherjee, Firhad Hakim, Jyotpriya Mullick, Goutam Deb, Abhishek Banerjee as well as MPs like Shatabdi Roy, Arpita Ghosh, Moonmoon Sen, Dev and others.

AITC Secretary General Partha Chatterjee and Biman Banerjee campaigns at Baruipur

AITC MP Shatabdi Roy campaigns at Suri

Firhad Hakim leads a padayatra at Suri

Aroop Biswas campaigns at Sonarpur

Jyotipriya Mullick campaigns at Barasat

AITC MP Dev campaigns at Silguri

Suvendu Adhikari campaigns at Egra

Trinamool Youth Congress President Abhishek Banerjee campaigns at Kalna

Trinamool Youth Congress President Abhishek Banerjee campaigns at Naihati

Vote for Trinamool, Vote for Mamata: Abhishek Banerjee in Bardhaman

Posted on April 21, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

“Vote for Mamata!” was MP and president of Trinamool Youth Congress, Abhishek Banerjee’s rallying cry at the public meeting for the municipal election in Memari, in Bardhaman district, on Monday. Earlier in the evening, in Kalna (also in Bardhaman district), on the occasion of another municipal election-campaign meeting, Abhishek Banerjee underscored the Trinamool Chairperson’s championing role in the party, saying, “Those who have stood as candidates for the party, are all Mamata Banerjees.”

Monday saw another round of mammoth campaign rallies in Kalna and Memari. Senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Derek O’Brien and another leader, noted singer Indranil Sen had also joined Abhishek Banerjee in urging the masses to vote to victory Trinamool Congress once again. And there was no doubt, seeing the huge crowds at both the places.

Derek O’Brien backed Abhishek by saying, “You don’t need to worry about who has been chosen, or not chosen, as a candidate. Press the twin flowers-labelled button and your vote will reach Kalighat straight.”

To allegations of poll-related violence, Abhishek Banerjee emphatically responded, “The opposition is making false accusations about poll-centric violence during the Kolkata corporation elections. Let them prove even one such incident.” The CPI(M), the Congress and the BJP have not managed to do even 5 per cent of the developmental work done by Trinamool, he added.

Trinamool campaigns to the beats of dhamsa-madol

Posted on April 20, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

April 19 was the last Sunday before elections to the municipalities in the district of South 24-Parganas takes place. On April 25, 23 municipalities (comprising 587 wards) of the district are going for polls. And being the last holiday, the campaigning was at the highest pitch, and the most cheerful. Traditional culture formed an integral part of the campaigning.

Dancers and musicians thronged the venues and streets, doing their best to literally drum up support for candidates; traditional percussion instruments like dhamsa and madal were used to the fullest. Women in traditional dance costumes added a dash of colour and extravaganza. Also, candidates and party workers took out processions in autos and totos (a new addition this time), with party flags stuck on them. Of course, there were also the door-to-door campaigns.

Campaigning with dhamsa-madol in North 24 Parganas

Among the parties, Trinamool was easily the most visible one. Its senior leaders spread out in all the municipalities, ensuring no stones were left unturned. On Sunday evening, Trinamool MPs Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien took part in road shows in 23 wards of Ashoknagar Kalyangarh municipality in support of candidates.

Abhishek Banerjee at Ashoknagar

Another MP, Kakali Ghosh Dastidar was also there in some of the municipalities. The same went for state cabinet minister, Jyotipriya Mallick and Dr Shashi Panja, the latter having campaigned in Madhyamgram.

Road show by Ghatal MP, Dev

Senior MP Saugata Roy and cabinet minister, and noted theatre actor, Bratya Basu campaigned for the Trinamool candidate of ward number 12 of South Dum Dum Municipality. In the evening, massive cheerful processions were taken out in all wards of all the municipalities. Thus ended a successful day of campaigning.

Suvendu Adhikari in Egra

Trinamool walks out from LS to protest against land ordinance

Posted on April 20, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Trinamool Congress MPs, led by Sudip Bandyopadhyay, walked out of the Lok Sabha today to register their protest against the land ordinance introduced by the Centre. Leader of the party in Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, slammed the government for introducing such an anti-farmer legislation.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, ”Our leader Mamata Banerjee led a rally opposing this Ordinance which has been introduced. We totally oppose it and will be walking out to register our protest against this Ordinance.”

Trinamool was the only party that opposed the land bill of the UPA II government and voted against it in Parliament.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay speaks on the Land Ordinance | Full Transcript

Posted on April 20, 2015 | by admin2

Full Transcript

Sir, the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Resettlement Bill, 2011 was debated on the floor of this House on 29th August, 2013. There was voting. The result of voting was 216 ayes and 19 noes. I moved an amendment. There was voting for that amendment too. Trinamool Congress opposed that Bill. Our leader Mamata Banerjee led a rally opposing this Ordinance which has been introduced. We totally oppose it and will be walking out to register our protest against this Ordinance.

Thank you.

Treatment of cardiac and blood-related problems to be free of cost in Bengal

Posted on April 18, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee announced that the State Government would soon make treatment of all types of cancer, cardiac problems and blood disorders completely free in state government-run hospitals and medical colleges.

The move by the State Government comes after a huge success of Fair Price Medicine shops and Diagnostic Centres.

The services to be provided would include all types of medicines, radiation therapy, surgical procedures like open heart surgery, bypass surgery, repair and replacement of valves and insertion of different types of implants like stents and pace makers, informed the West Bengal Chief Minister in a Facebook Post.

The scope of treatment of blood disorders including blood cancer, thalassemia, alplastic anaemia, hemophilia, etc would also be enhanced to offer universal coverage, the Chief Minister informed and said that the programme will be launched very soon after tying up the logistics and other issues.

Now, BPL patients are provided treatment and drugs free of cost at government hospitals. After the Chief Minister’s announcement, people of all income groups could avail themselves of free drugs and equipment.

The CM’s vision is clear – To make Kolkata the No. 1 city in civic amenities: Abhishek Banerjee

Posted on April 17, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

We have reproduced below an interview of Abhishek Banerjee with The Times of India as published on April 17, 2015:

Q: How would you rate the KMC board’s performance?

AB: It has been a great five years for KMC because there have been significant changes which Kolkatans can see and experience. To name a few -modernisation of the sewerage system, renovation of parks, riverfront beautification, healthcare initiatives, better roads, a modern garbage disposal system that rid the city of vats. The macro direction is being given by one per son -chief minister Mamata Banerjee. She understands the needs of people and insights turned into invaluable milestones for KMC

Q: If voted to power, what would you want KMC to focus on?

AB: The KMC, under the mayor’s stewardship and guidance of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, has laid a solid foundation. It is natural that we will build on this in the next five years. As in everything Mamata Banerjee does, specific timelines will be set. The performance of every ward will continue to be closely monitored. The CM’s vision is clear to make Kolkata the number one city in the country in terms of civic amenities. We are heading towards that goal.

Abhishek Banerjee campaigning for KMC elections

Q: You have been personally targeted by BJP on a range of issues, including your postgraduate qualification. Your reaction…

AB: I am just a foot soldier doing a job assigned by the party. I will not let such stray and wild accusations divert me from my goal. There is a lot of work to be done. After 34 years, Bengal is finally on the development track with new vigour. Nothing should distract us from that. We have gone to the people with a solid development agenda but the Opposition has only spread canards. We have full faith the people will give a befitting reply to all allegations.

Q: The ruling party is mostly blamed for the pre-poll violence. How would you react to that?

AB: When the writing is on the wall and you are fighting for the third or fourth place, you have to look for excuses. The administration has acted on complaints. Police don’t vote; neither do rowdies. Citizens do, and they will do it again, peacefully. Excuses are what losers look for.

On the campaign trail…

Q: Do you think the CBI notices on Trinamool and the Saradha scam will deflect public attention from core issues, like development?

AB: I have said this several times in my election rallies. CBI is the Controlled Branch of Investigation of BJP. Parties have used CBI as a political tool in the past; BJP is doing so now. But we will not cow down before CBI, or any other government agency. CBI will also not make Mamata Banerjee change track on the Land Bill.

Trinamool will continue to oppose the anti-poor and anti-farmer Bill. Land has always been part of Trinamool’s DNA. Our party chief had fasted 26 days for this cause. We are against forcible acquisition. However, we do believe that agriculture and industry can co-exist peacefully. Here, Bengal is leading by example.

While campaigning for municipal elections in Kolkata

Q: Trinamool is the only party to have announced its mayoral candidate. The party has been functioning like a well-drilled poll machine…

AB: (Smiles) Please do not refer to us as a poll machine. We are a people-centric party. We work for people though the year. We deliver on promises. People trust us. Yes, I think we ran an organized professional campaign. Don’t grudge us that. The final say is with the people and, of course, we are confident truth and development will prevail.

Q: You have always been a behind the-scenes strategist. Now, you are increasingly becoming the face of the party’s election campaign. How was the transition, personally?

AB: I still consider myself to be a student of politics. I am humbled that the party has given me responsibilities beyond that of an MP. I will continue to work hard and my single minded goal is to serve the people and fulfil their expectations.

People will give their verdict against Opposition’s canards: Mamata Banerjee

Posted on April 16, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Trinamool Congress Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee led a huge padayatra today from Sukanta Setu in Jadavpur to Gopalnagar in Hazra, via Golpark, Gariahat and Ballygaunge Phari.

She has already addressed four mass meetings in different parts of the city to campaign for the Trinamool candidates for the KMC Election 2015.

Before the padayatra, Mamata Banerjee addressed the audience at Sukanta Setu. She said that despite several constraints, the Trinamool Government has performed well in the last four years and Kolkata is the No. 1 city in India despite being a non-planned one.

She reminded that in Delhi the citizens have to buy water whereas in Kolkata, water is provided free of cost. She also said that load shedding, which was a big problem earlier is now a thing of the past. The State is also increasing its power generation capacity, she said.

The Trinamool Chairperson said that a lot of work can be done if there is cooperation between KMC and the State Government; she thanked the Kolkata Mayor for all the work done in the city. She said that people do not believe in the canards spread against Trinamool Congress in some media channels. “We reside in their hearts,” the Chairperson said.

“Defeat the slander campaign and propaganda in the upcoming municipal polls,” she urged people. She said that people will teach those a lesson who had gave the slogan Bhaag Mamata Bhaag. “Some parties exist only on TV studios. It is not possible to capture Bengal by sitting in Delhi,” she added.

No place for vendetta politics in democracy: Mamata Banerjee

Posted on April 12, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Trinamool Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee today challenged the Opposition, including BJP, to fight politically instead of relying on canards and smear campaign. She was addressing a public meeting at Beleghata where she asked people to vote for development, peace and prosperity.

Paid media

Didi targeted a section of the media for always portraying Trinamool in bad light. “Even if some minor altercations happen between neighbours, they blame TMC,” she said. “This is the era of paid news. Some media houses are run by BJP, some by CPM. Crores of money were spent by some parties during Lok Sabha polls to control media,” she added.

Opposition has no work

Lashing out at the Opposition, she said, “They are jealous. Those born with silver spoon in mouth say how can a woman from a humble background run a State. I have always struggled for people. I went on 26-day hunger strike for the people of Singur. This Central Government does not care for common man. People are saying ‘kya socha tha, kya ho gaya’. Why did the BJP get a drubbing in Delhi? People from all walks of society have rejected them.”

She also slammed the CPM. “There are two types of trees: one which can stand on its own and those that are dependent on others. CPM is of the second type. CPM is dependent on BJP for its survival. Congress is non-existent. CPM, Congress and BJP speak the same language, that of slander against Mamata and her party. The Opposition has no work. They only appear on TV studios to speak ill of me,” she said.

Mamata Banerjee also targeted the CPM for raising the bogey of terror while their regime had a series of incidents of violence. “The CPM which never allowed peaceful polls in Beleghata is talking about terror now. Has the CPM forgotten about Keshpur, Garhbeta? Have they forgotten about Netai, Nandigram, Bantala, Dhantala?” she demanded to know. Our slogan was “Bodla noy bodol chai” (Change not revenge). This is our courtesy not our weakness, she added.

Sale of paintings

Regarding the attack of Opposition about the sale of her paintings, she said, “They are questioning my paintings. The money from the sale of my book ‘Upolobdhi’ was donated to the families in Amta whose hands were chopped off by CPM. Who is the Opposition to decide the value of my paintings? My paintings are sold to raise money for the party. The money is used to run election campaign. Every political party submits accounts to EC and files IT returns.”

People will teach Opposition a lesson

Didi said whenever elections come, the Opposition attacks her over the paintings. This is not even an issue, she said. “People of Bengal will teach them a lesson. Those who spent thousands of crores during Lok Sabha election are now raising questions about us. Trinamool Congress is a transparent political party,” she added.

No vendetta politics

Mamata Banerjee also challenged the Opposition to fight politically. “CBI comes under the jurisdiction of PMO. ED and IT Dept are under Finance Ministry. They want to gag our voices. It is not easy. There is no place for political vendetta in democracy. We believe in peace,” she said.

Vote for development

“The Opposition will only indulge in canards. They are expert in smear campaign, propaganda and slander. We cannot stoop to that level,” said Didi. She stressed that people have witnessed development in the last five years. She highlighted Bengal’s achievements in Kanyashree scheme, Nirmal Bangla Abhiyaan, beautification of Kolkata, reduction in water-logging. She said Kolkata was the only non-planned city to witness such large-scale development.