Trinamul national general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday started a helpline, Ek Daake Abhishek (Abhishek a call away) for people, on the lines of chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s Didi Ke Bolo initiative launched in July 2019.

“Inspired by Didi Ke Bolo..., we have started this helpline from today. Any types of problems, suggestions or complaints you (the people of Diamond Harbour) have, please dial this number and inform me directly. There will be no wall between you and me from now,” said Abhishek, launching the toll-free number 7887778877 at an event in Pailan.

He also released a book, Nishabdo Biplab (A silent revolution), detailing his performance as an MP.

Didi Ke Bolo was rolled out within a few months of poll strategist Prashant Kishor taking up the job to turn around Trinamul’s fortunes after the BJP won 18 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal.

Ek Daake Abhishek has been rolled out at a time Trinamul is planning the second edition of Didi Ke Bolo with an eye on the 2024 general polls.

“It was announced that the helpline number is only for the people of the Diamond Harbour parliamentary constituency. But there is no restriction if someone from places outside the constituency dial the number,” a party insider said.

Another leader said: “Abhishek’s helpline is dedicated to people of his constituency and Didi Ke Bolo is a drive across Bengal. They can’t be compared.”

However, a source in Abhishek’s office said that as Trinamul national general secretary he could not ignore inputs pouring in from places outside his constituency.

“If complaints or problems from other areas apart from Diamond Harbour come to this number, it will be referred for resolution to appropriate authorities or leaders. He (Abhishek) will try his best to help solve problems people are facing,” said a source.

Abhishek’s latest outreach effort comes after his “Diamond Harbour model” initiative launched in January to battle the third wave of Covid-19. The initiative had become a point of contention within the party and the model had divided leaders into two camps.

Opposition leaders did not lose the opportunity to attack Abhishek’s initiative.

“Didi was not available in Didi Ke Bolo. Will Abhishek be available to take calls?” said CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said: “Common people have no interest in such gimmicks.”