Centre ‘hatching conspiracies’ to topple Opp. govts: Mamata
■ ‘Won’t tolerate Gujarati rule’ ■ Offers lifetime free food, healthcare
Kickstarting the ruling Trinamul Congress’ Assembly poll campaign with a promise of lifelong free food and healthcare, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the Centre of “hatching conspiracies” to pull down the governments in Opposition-ruled states by misusing Central agencies and money power, and branded the BJP as the “most destructive” party.
Invoking Bengali subnationalism, Ms Banerjee said the BJP was an “outsider” in West Bengal and said the state shouldn’t be ruled by “Gujarat and outsiders… but by the people of the soil”.
Addressing her first virtual rally on Martyrs’ Day, which the TMC holds on July 21 every year to commemorate the death of 13 people in police firing during a protest led by Ms Banerjee against the then Left Front government in 1993, she predicted Tuesday her party would score a hat-trick and come to power again in the state in 2021. She acknowledged, however, that the BJP was her
biggest threat.
“When the country is busy fighting the Covid pandemic, the BJP is busy destabilising elected governments in Rajasthan and West Bengal after Madhya Pradesh,” she said. “Why should Gujarat rule all states? We won’t tolerate this rule of two brothers (Narendra Modi and Amit Shah).”
Ms Banerjee urged all those who left the TMC to return to their roots. “Please don’t misunderstand. If some have joined
the CPI(M), BJP and Congress by mistake, come back to the TMC.”
Ms Banerjee added: “Every year our party’s grand rally is held on this day at Dharamtala. This time we are pained at not being able to organise it there due to the pandemic. Next year, the biggest rally will perhaps be held after the historic (Assembly) results are out. I announce we will organise this rally on May 21, 2021.”
Calling the BJP “a small party which loots money but calls others thieves”, Ms Banerjee said: “Central agencies are being used to humiliate me. Riots and anarchy are orchestrated. Every now and then there is a conspiracy to topple the government in Bengal and break the spine of the people. I won’t tolerate it. I know I will be harassed from tomorrow for raising my voice… but remember, an injured tiger is more dangerous than a dead one.”