Will stop BJP from dividing West Bengal, says Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: Starting the Trinamul Congress’ movement of “BJP, Quit India” in West Midnapore, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday accused the Modi government of trying to divide the state and the nation. She vowed to foil the attempt.

The Trinamul supremo announced that she would attend RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s upcoming rally in Patna this month before visiting Jharkhand to protest the grab of land of the tribals there. 

She also slammed the CPI(M), claiming it was aiding the BJP in the state and was playing the politics of double standard. Ms Banerjee was addressing a public rally on the occasion of the platinum jubilee of the historic “Quit India” movement against the British. 

“I will not allow India to be divided. Those who are in power in Delhi now are trying to divide the nation again. Some even want Bengal be divided for political interest,” she said.

Ms Banerjee added, “Members of the Dalit community are lynched. At the same time, food from a hotel is savoured in a Dalit home for a photo opportunity. The Dalits cannot be loved through politics. The land of the tribals are being taken away forcibly. I am going to Jharkhand.”

Elaborating on the Trinamul’s programme in other states, she said, “On August 31, we will organise our programme there in support of the tribals. Before that, I will attend Laluji’s rally in Patna on Augsut 27.”

Viocing shock over rising incidents of intolerance, she observed, “But what is happening now? Those who have come to power will rule forever. And they throttle the voice of those who are not in power. India and her democracy are under the threat of the ruling party now.”

She added, “Our fight against intolerance and communalism will continue.” Training her guns on the CPI(M), the Trinamul chief alleged, “There is no difference between the CPI(M) and the BJP. The CPI(M) survives on double standards. They are hypocrites.”

She claimed, “When they go to the Hills, they call for the division of Bengal. When they come down on the plains, they walk out (of discussions). The CPI(M) should keep in mind that they cannot survive either in Bengal or in the country with the help of the BJP.”

Countering the chief minister’s charges, state BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, “The Trinamul have snatched the democratic rights of the people in the state. If they have guts, they should hold a free and fair election first. Incidents like what happened in Dhulagarh and Kaliachak only happen in West Bengal, not in any BJP-ruled state.”