Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said north Bengal had witnessed major changes in terms of development under her rule, but “divisive forces” were spreading a false narrative that the Trinamul Congress government was ignoring the region.

“They always try to divide and in a planned manner, attempt to brainwash people to build a wrong narrative that north Bengal has been neglected. It is completely a false interpretation, which they do with political intentions. Time and again, we have proved our sincerity and commitment to this region and will continue to do so to counter these divisive forces,” said the chief minister.

She was speaking at a public distribution programme at the Subhasini tea estate ground in Hasimara, Alipurduar district.

Her attack on the BJP comes at a time when there are reports that the Centre is about to sit for peace talks with the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) — a proscribed militant outfit that was formed in north Bengal in 1995 by Rajbanshi youths for a separate state.

Since 2019, when BJP managed to secure seven of eight Lok Sabha seats in north Bengal by playing the polarisation card to draw support from Rajbanshis and Gorkhas who have a longstanding demand for statehood, a number of elected representatives of the party spoke in favour of the demand.

Though the state BJP brigade had denied it, the recent communication with the KLO and plans to hold talks without bypassing Bengal has irked Mamata and her party leaders who are vehemently against any further division of the state.

“Earlier, people would come here to relish local fish or to spend vacations in forests. But I come here at least 20 to 25 times a year. So far as development is concerned, north Bengal has undergone a major change and we will keep on working for the region,” she said while elaborating on the initiatives taken by her government for Gorkhas, Rajbanshis and adivasis.

Mamata was also critical of the Narendra Modi government’s aggressive overtures to promote the Prime Minister by publishing his photos “in every possible manner”.

“You will find his photo everywhere with the claim that he has done this… he has done that… he has provided food, he has provided shelter. If his photos can be everywhere, then his photo should also be there if someone dies,” said the chief minister.

Mamata, who has been putting impetus to the creation of employment, tried to drive home the point that her government was keen on providing jobs while accusing leaders of other political parties of creating deterrence in the process.

“We are providing jobs to people in some department or other but there are some people, who are halting these recruitments in some way or other. These people should answer as to how many jobs they have provided,” she said.

The chief minister also slammed the Centre for sending teams to check the implementation of central schemes in Bengal. No such teams are sent to the BJP-ruled states, she alleged.

“Even if a termite bites, they will send central teams. Ahead of the elections, they send outsiders to foment tension in our state. All of us should be alert,” said Mamata.

Abhishek on stage

Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamul’s Diamond Harboir MP, was called on to the dais by Mamata.

Abhishek, Mamata’s nephew who usually stays away from administrative meetings, was sitting in the audience. He had accompanied Mamata to north Bengal and also went to Meghalaya on Wednesday.

Suddenly, Mamata called him, asking him to greet the people.

“He was reluctant… but I told him that he is an MP and can come on the stage to greet people who are here,” the chief minister said, justifying her move.

Abhishek, who is also the party’s all-India general secretary, walked up to the stage, he greeted people with folded hands and a smile and also greeted others who were on the dais and descended in a minute’s time.