Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee today alleged Narendra Modi is jealous of Bengal.
Ms Banerjee said Modi became the PM but he has failed to win people’s hearts. He has not been able to become the leader of the nation.
She said Narendra Modi has not done any work in the last five years and has no achievements to show, so he is trying to divide people into religious lines, hoping that would garner him votes.
Addressing a public meeting here in Howrah district, which is part of the Howrah Lok Sabha constituency, Ms Banerjee said, “Modi says Bengal has refused to become a part of Ayushman Bharat. Yes, we have opted out. We pay 40 per cent of the cost and he alone takes the credit! We have a better scheme called Swasthya Sathi. ”
The chief minister said, ” Today Rajasthan Government has sent us a letter seeking technical help to implement our health insurance scheme in their State. ”
She said, ” The budget for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme is Rs 100 crore, for the entire country. In Bengal alone, we have spent nearly Rs 8,000 crore for Kanyashree scheme. They cannot even copy our schemes properly. They only spend money on marketing. ”
“Lakhs and lakhs of people hit streets during festivals. And they have the audacity to tell lies that Durga Puja is not celebrated in Bengal. We even started the Durga Puja Carnival. When we gave financial assistance to clubs who organise Durga Puja, BJP went to court. They arranged for IT notices to 40 Durga Puja organisers in Kolkata,” Ms Banerjee commented.
She said, ” Look at the amount of money spent by the BJP for election campaigning. In future, democracy will be in danger if this trend continues. ”
“BJP is earning crores of rupees and also spending extensively. We do not have money power like them,” the TMC supremo said.
She alleged, ” They are spending crores on every public meeting. They have hired agencies to even put up flags and banners. Agencies have been hired to bring crowds to Modi’s rallies in exchange for money. People are being offered money and freebies like bikes. ”
The chief minister said, ” When demonetisation was announced they claimed terrorism will be eliminated. They said Naxalism will be eliminated. They promised to bring back black money. ” Banerjee said, ” Terrorism has not been eliminated. Instead, the number of terror attacks in Kashmir has increased by 260 per cent. They failed to curb black money. ”
“There was a time when Jangalmahal was suffering due to Maoist terror. In our tenure, not a single death due to Maoist violence has occurred in our State. They failed to control Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand. In Bengal, we have done it. Jangalmahal is peaceful now,” she commented.
The TMC supremo alleged, ” They incite violence in Darjeeling. Unstable Bengal suits their political agenda. ” The chief minister said, ” People of all faiths, castes, and communities live together in Bengal in peace and harmony. This is Bengal’s culture. ”
” All the demonetised money has come back in circulation. Why was demonetisation carried out? ” she asked. Banerjee alleged, ” They looted people’s money. People lost their jobs, businesses suffered, farmers committed suicide. ”
The chief minister said, ” Media is afraid to speak against him. If someone opens their mouth against him, they will lose their jobs. Journalists, industrialists, labourers, common man – everyone is afraid of him. ”
” It was because Mahua Moitra, our party’s candidate, lodged a case in the Supreme Court, that right to privacy is intact, ” she remarked.
“Aadhaar card linking to mobiles and bank accounts has not become compulsory because of the sustained fight put up by our party,” the TMC supremo commented.
” He promised to bring ‘Achhe Din’. Prices of cooking gas, fuel have increased. Farmers are committing suicide. Businesses are suffering. They are committing crimes against minorities, Dalits. They are dividing the country, ” Ms Banerjee remarked.
The chief minister said, ” Hindu religion does not teach you to hate others. Hinduism is tolerant and teaches you universal brotherhood. ”
“ I am the only person who is putting up a fight against Modi and his agencies. I refuse to concede even an inch of land. I will never allow the country to be divided,” Ms Banerjee commented.
“The Prime Minister does not even do his homework. He spreads falsehoods. The ‘Expiry Prime Minister’ is indulging in horse-trading. Is this constitutional? ” The TMC supremo asked.
“If one or two gaddars leave us, I have the capacity to prepare one lakh workers more. We work for Trinamool out of emotion, not money,” she said.
Ms Banerjee said, ” Do not vote for the CPI(M) and Congress. They have given up their ideology and are working for the BJP. ”
” Defeat the fascist government. Bengal is the land of peace. The political culture of swords and maces will not work here,” she added.
