Trying to reign in corrupt elements in her party, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee on Thursday issued a number of diktats to party workers which included rising above “one’s self- interests”, adhering to party discipline and raising funds through subscription of party members.
“There are a few who indulge in bad activities and the entire party in defamed,” she said, at the annual Martyr’s Day rally adding that “party's interest and interest of the people are bigger than the interest of an individual.” She focused on the need to collect funds from party workers, rather than outsiders who are not attached to the party
“We are going to start a membership drive and give as little as one rupee to join the party. From one rupee to hundred rupees, but we need to collect it from our own people,” she said. Even though she did not speak of burning issues like extortion through syndicates and Sarada or Narada scam she urged party workers to live the “life of a common man” and “not fall prey to greed”.
“I would request all of you to be more sensitive towards people, especially mothers and sisters and work tirelessly for the party...we need to strengthen the party at the booth level and I would appeal to you to work at the booth level to ensure victory in the Panchayat elections [2018]. Remember we are nothing without the support of the people,”she said.
Showing a complete indifference to Opposition, she only spoke about the significance of July 21, when 13 youth Congress workers under her leadership were killed in police firing.
One of the highlights of the massive rally was presence of former TMC MP and singer Kabir Suman who had turned a dissident and event criticised Ms Banerjee in public. Mr Suman, an eminent musicia who was elected from Jadavpur in 2009, went to the extent of predicting that temples will be set up in times to come for Mamata Banerjee.
“I am standing here with my arms stretched, if needed you can kill me. But I know, Mamata will listen to my words, she is history. Three hundred years from now, people will worship Mamata as a deity; temples will be dedicated to her,” the National award winning singer and composer said.
While he raised the demand of release of political prisoners Mr Suman also pointed out that he was missing TMC leader former state Transport Minister Madan Mitra who is now behind bars for his alleged complicity in the multi-crore rupee Saradha chit fund scam.
“Today I may not be that happy because amid all this assembly, I am missing my friend Madan Mitra. I have seen very few nice men like Madan. I sincerely wish for his release,” he said.
