Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday held aloft the spectre of NRC and urged migrant labourers to return home to cast their votes and spoke about the possibility of their names getting deleted from the voters’ list.
"They are (BJP) already trying to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the Uniform Civil Code…if these are implemented, the minorities will lose existence and their religious identity would be lost as well," Mamata said.
Speaking at two back-to-back public meetings in support of party candidates in Khargram and Bhagabangola of Murshidabad district, from where a large number of people work outside the state, Mamata said everyone must exercise their democratic right to "save the country from the BJP" to secure their "own rights".
In Khargram, the Trinamool chief spoke in support of party's Jangipur candidate Khalilur Rahaman, while in Bhagabangola she urged the people to vote for the party's candidate for the Murshidabad Lok Sabha candidate Abu Taher Khan and Reyat Hussain, who is contesting to win the Assembly by-poll.
Reaching out to migrant workers in Bhagawangola, Mamata said: "You must keep in mind that you have to cast your vote in every phase. If you stay outside, you should return home to cast your vote, else your name could be deleted from voters' list and the NRC could be made effective. You can even be sent to detention camps."
Bengal has around 28 lakh registered migrant labourers of which Murshidabad district has a big share. The Trinamool leadership is anxious to ensure the return of migrant workers to their homes on polling day as they could play a decisive role in the poll outcome.
Party insiders said Mamata, who has camped in Berhampore for three days, has specifically asked the local leaders to contact their families individually and ensure they come home to cast their votes, albeit in favour of Trinamool.
In a bid to woo the migrant voters, Mamata harped on the formation of a welfare fund for them and a separate Swasthyasathi card for them as well.
"We have developed a welfare fund for migrant labourers. Samirul Islam (TMC MP) has been made chairman of the committee. We will provide a separate Swasthyasathi card to all migrant labourers so that they can get treatment," Mamata said.
Explaining the importance of their votes, Mamata said in Bhagabangola: "A vote against the BJP is a positive vote for the sake of the country and the common people."
While seeking support for two minority community dominated constituencies, she urged the Haj-bound people to cast their votes without tension before proceeding for the pilgrimage.
Hitting out at the BJP, Mamata said the voting phases had been planned in a manner so that Haj-bound people would not be able to cast their votes.
Sources said that Haj pilgrimage would begin this year from June 16 but Haj-bound flights commenced services 40 days ahead of the schedule. In that case many pilgrims might miss taking part in the polling process because of the flight schedule.
Urging such people to vote before leaving for the Haj, Mamata said, "We have foiled the BJP's plot. We are trying to make district-wise arrangements for your passage. So please vote without tension before leaving."
Mamata also urged central force personnel deployed in the state for security to "cooperate" with the state administration and not to "intimidate" people or even to "open fire" under BJP's direction. Mamata also apparently warned the CPF jawans of "action" in any changed situation in future for any such act under BJP's direction.
As the district shares borders with Bangladesh, Mamata brought up the issue of BSF and CRPF at the rally.