Warning that if the CPI(M) is allowed to return to power then Jangalmahal will again burn, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday asked the people of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia not to vote for the Opposition party. “They are trying to misguide you. If you allow them to return to power, Jangalmahal will again burst into flames. Murder and mayhem will return and Jangalmahal will once again become a turbulent region,” she said addressing an election rally in Shilda in West Midnapore. These three districts constitute Jangalmahal which was rocked by Maoist violence during Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s last five years in office.
Ms Banerjee reminded the people that earlier blood was routinely spilled in Shilda, Nayagram, Jhargram, Belpahari and other places in the region. “Today peace prevails here and this is my biggest accomplishment,” she added. She reminded the people of the incidents of largescale violence in which several people were killed in places like Netai, Nandigram et al. “Now peace has been restored here and people are living in harmony. They are getting rice at '2 per kg and also the benefits of various welfare schemes launched by my government,” she added.
The chief minister claimed that her party delivered more than it had promised for the development of the state. The Opposition CPI(M), Congress and BJP merely indulged in slander and character-assassination.
Referring to the various measures she had taken specifically for the Jangalmahal, she said that 40,000 youth were recruited as police constables and civic volunteers. “In the past, the youth of Jangalmahal were scared to step out because they were shot dead. Today they are participating in various sporting events and 30,000 of them are playing football, courtesy the state government’s schemes,” she added.
Attacking the Left-Congress alliance, Ms Banerjee said they have sold their party flags. “They have sacrificed their ideologies. And the BJP only foments communal riots,” she added.
Clearly apprehending an erosion in TMC’s support base due to Narada sting revelations, Ms Banerjee tried to cash in on her own personal honesty and probity. “My mothers and sisters! Do you have faith in me Do you love twin-flowers ” she asked, adding then vote for the Trinamul Congress.
