Bharat Bandh: Mamata Banerjee was in West Midnapore, stronghold of the rebel MLA Suvendu Adhikari.
West Midnapur (West Bengal):
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke out today more than ever in support of farmers protesting the three new central government agricultural ordinances saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration should withdraw the laws or simply resign. .
“I have not forgotten Singur, I have not forgotten … I promise full support to the farmers,” said Ms Banerjee, holding a wad of harvested rice, at a rally in Mednipur, the West Midnapur district headquarters . He was referring to his 26-day hunger strike in 2006 in Singur against the forced acquisition of fertile land by the then government.
However, making it clear today that her party does not support a “bandh”, the chief minister said: “We will support the farmers’ demands tomorrow.” Several groups protesting the new laws have called for a Bharat Bandh on Tuesday.
In addition to his vociferous support for farmers, the place from which he chose to speak is also charged with political importance.
West Midnapore is the stronghold of Suvendu Adhikari, the discontented Trinamool MLA from Nandigram in East Midnapore who is in charge of both districts. Adhikari had resigned as a state cabinet minister last month, sparking strong rumors of defection, although he remains a member of TMC.
Arriving in Medinipur on Sunday, Ms Banerjee had issued a stern warning against “anti-party activities”, asking TMC leaders in contact with the opposition to resign from their party, according to a PTI report. He had also asked East Midnapore TMC chairman Sisir Adhikari, Suvendu Adhikari’s father, to control anti-party activities.
Criticizing the BJP as an “outsider” party, he said he would never allow the saffron camp to take control of Bengal and urged the people of the state to resist any such attempt.
“We do not believe in Bengali-non-Bengali politics. They are both our brothers and sisters … If the thugs from abroad come to terrorize you, all of you must fight together against them,” he said, according to PTI. . “The people of the state would never bow their heads to those who murdered Mahatma Gandhi.”
Banerjee praised those who oppose the BJP even when he accused the CPM of backing the Hindu nationalist group in Bengal. “Congress sometimes kisses the CPM or the BJP in turn,” he scoffed.
The chief minister announced that her government would continue to distribute free rations beyond June next year, after her party returns to power for the third consecutive time. Elections for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly are likely to take place between April and May next year.
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