Releasing her party’s manifesto, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said there would be a judicial probe into demonetisation if the united Opposition was voted to power. She also suggested replacing 100 days’ of work with a more robust “200 days’ work” programme and favoured bringing back the Planning Commission to replace Niti Aaayog. But all her suggestions will be “pushed” only if an anti-BJP coalition came to power at the Centre, she said. The Trinamool would also write two letters of objection to the Election Commission, she said.
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Arguing to initiate a probe on demonetisation, Ms. Banerjee said in the opening paragraphs of the manifesto that “entire nation was subjected to a lot of harassments” due to withdrawal of currency notes. “[Thus] my demand to the new government, when Common Minimum Programme [CMP] will be put in place by the united opposition, [will be] to institute a judicial probe monitored by a former Supreme Court judge,” Ms Banerjee said in the press conference. She will also try to “push” her other agendas in the CMP, she said.
“We want 100 day’s work to be doubled to 200 days’ [work]. The daily wage which now is Rs 191 has to be doubled to in the CMP,” she said. Her other key demand would be to bring the Planning Commission back in-line with Federal governance.
“The Planning Commission was the brainchild of Subhas Chandra Bose. The Modi Government disbanded it. They created Niti Aayog, full of their men and they refused operate [it] like Planning Commission where the officials were in close touch with the States…used to ask about the demands, nature of spending but everything has stopped,” Ms. Banerjee said taking the opportunity to launch her party's manifesto. She gave a list of 12 such demands ranging from special packages for the farmers, social security scheme for the workers in the unorganised sector and a review of the GST by an expert committee. Ms. Banerjee also highlighted her government’s projects. In the manifesto TMC has focussed on "need to stand up to save the nation from divisiveness, hatred and authoritarianism."
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Letters to EC
Ms. Banerjee questioned the appointment of former Director-General of Border Security Force K.K. Sharma as special central police observer in West Bengal and Jharkhand. A TMC release noted that, about a year ago TMC raised objection to his presence in uniform at a programme of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha [RSS]. However, he is now appointed as a special observer in the State.
“Is he an impartial observer? Is this a way to ensure justice?” Ms. Banerjee asked. She indicated that TMC will write to EC. While congratulating the officials of DRDO for launching the anti-satellite missile, Ms. Banerjee said that the launch by the Prime Minister and his television address is a “violation of model code of conduct” and TMC will send another letter of objection to the EC.
“Today’s announcement is yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits at the time of election. This is a gross violation of Model Code of Conduct. There is no great urgency in conducting and announcing the mission now by a government past its expiry date. [They are] desperate [for] oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat. We are lodging a complaint with the Election Commission,” Ms Banerjee tweeted earlier.
Ms Banerjee quipped that the Prime Minister also “wasted her two hours” as she too was “waiting for the announcement.” “I thought he would say that he [Mr Modi] will not contest the election or ask Mr. Advani… but the announcement was no big deal,” she said.