Chief minister Mamata Banerjee made a strong statement about amity and development in north Bengal at a public service distribution programme in Jalpaiguri's Banarhat on Monday.
"Jab tak hum zinda hain, divide nahi hogi (Till I am alive, no division will happen). Come what may, we will not let our one family split,” said Mamata at Tarun Sangha ground of Banarhat.
Political observers termed her categorical stand significant ahead of the Lok Sabha polls against the backdrop of several north Bengal-based political parties and organisations raising the demand for new states such as Gorkhaland and Kamtapur.
They said that in the 2019 Lok Sabha, the BJP tasted electoral success by stoking the sentiment of certain communities while obliquely referring to their demand for statehood. The chief minister and her party Trinamul, have, however, categorically stood firm against any further division of Bengal.
“This time, she again iterated her stand. It will be interesting to see what strategy the saffron camp takes this time considering the strong sentiment in many parts of the state against demands to carve new states from Bengal. In contrast, people in the hills and Rajbanshi-dominated belts are disgruntled with the BJP for not meeting their statehood demands,” said an observer.
In the course of her speech, Mamata also lashed out at the BJP-led Centre. "They are taking GST from us (Bengal) but have stopped funds due to Bengal for welfare schemes ranging from 100-days' work to rural housing and roads," she said.
“What I commit, I do. But the BJP makes hollow promises. Ahead of the (2019) elections, they said that they would open five closed tea gardens but did nothing. Now they are claiming credit for the drinking water supply scheme. Let us make it clear that the state provides land and proportionate funds for the project,” the chief minister said.
On Monday, she inaugurated infrastructure projects worth Rs 110 crore in Jalpaiguri district and laid the foundation stones for projects worth Rs 69 crore.
“We have kept our promise and announced Dhupguri as a new subdivision. For Banarhat, we planned a new fire station. Also, the primary health centre here will be upgraded into a 30-bed block hospital,” said Mamata amid loud cheers.
During her speech, Mamata also reached out to different communities and elaborated on the initiatives taken for them. For Rajbanshis and Nasya Sheikhs (Rajbanshi Muslims), she said development boards had been constituted.
“There are around 200 Rajbanshi-medium schools. We have recognised these institutions and will soon open them formally in Cooch Behar. For tea garden workers, we are providing land rights. For the tribal population, we are extending all possible help, including financial assistance. Steps would be taken to expedite the process of issuing ST certificates to them,” the chief minister said.
On Tuesday, as she will attend a similar event at Kanchenjungha Stadium in Siliguri, funds to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore will be transferred to the bank accounts of farmers across Bengal.
