Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she would launch a campaign against the BJP from the Midnapore town on August 9 along the lines of the Quit India Movement in 1942 that demanded an end to the British rule.
Addressing a political rally in Midnapore town, the Bengal chief minister made it clear that she would up the ante against the Narendra Modi government in the coming months to ensure the BJP’s defeat in the next general election and a larger role of Bengal in national politics.
“I will come here again on August 9 to hold a public meeting on the occasion of the anniversary of the Quit India Movement, which gave a call for an end to the British rule in India. We cannot forget the contribution of Midnapore to India’s freedom struggle,” said Mamata.
“Three places in the country — Satara in Maharashtra, Ballia in UP and Tamralipta (which was part of undivided Midnapore and where Tamralipta National Government was formed in 1942) — played a key role in the movement against the British,” she added.
The fact that the country was in need of a similar movement against the Modi-led government was clear in the chief minister’s address as she mounted an attack on the Centre for its “anti-poor policies” and mentioned the role Bengal could play in bringing an end to the BJP rule in the country.
From blaming the Centre for not releasing funds under the 100-day work scheme for the past five months to accusing it of inflicting pain on common people by increasing fuel prices, the chief minister gave a detailed account of how the BJP government in Delhi was discriminating against common people.
“You have to build a movement against the Centre in all blocks,” said Mamata.
“Whenever you see BJP leaders, ask them to ensure that the money for the 100-day work scheme reaches Bengal.… If they can’t satisfy you, tell them to vacate the seat of power,” she thundered, indicating that the Centre’s alleged apathy towards Bengal would be the theme in her next round of movement against the Centre.
Mamata also tried to turn the tables on BJP leaders, who often accuse Trinamul Congress functionaries of taking “cut money” from people for benefits under government schemes. The Trinamul chairperson accused the Centre of taking “cut money” from people at large in the name of fuel taxes.
“The prices of petrol, diesel and LPG increased steadily in the past few years…. This government is killing people, looting people and cutting their pockets.... They talk about Rs 200 cut money taken by a low level functionary. But what about over Rs 17 lakh crore that they took away from ordinary people (in the name of taxes on petroleum products)?” asked Mamata.
“Whenever people talk about price rise and its impact on ordinary people, they bring up Hindu-Muslim issues…. This is their ploy,” she added.
“We have to change our approach from me to us.… And if we can do that, Bengal will conquer India,” she summed up.