Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee started campaigning for the municipal elections on Friday in Burrabazar area of Kolkata.
She highlighted the “cosmopolitan culture” of Bengal and asked people not to vote for the BJP, insisting that the party is “destroying” the social fabric of the State. Interestingly, she chose Burrabazar area, a stronghold of the BJP, to launch her election campaign.
Ms Banerjee branded the BJP as a divisive party. “The BJP wants to pit Hindus against Muslims, Christians against Hindus. They want to create fissures between people. Tyag ka naam hai Hindu, Iman ka naam hai Mussalman. Pyar ka naam hai Isai. Sikh ka naam hai balidan. Yeh hai hamara Hindustan,” (Define renouncement as a Hindu, faith as a Muslim, love as Christian, sacrifice as a Sikh and that is our India), Ms Banerjee said.
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“In a democracy, people are our strength. We must reach out to them without arrogance. The Trinamool Congress believes in free, fair and peaceful polls. People are the pillar of strength for a democracy. People are our family — doesn’t matter what your religion or language is,” she said.
Interestingly, many thought Ms Banerjee had already launched her election campaign last Wednesday when digressing from the rally’s theme — opposition to Land Bill — the Chief Minister spoke extensively on the civic polls. But she ‘started’ the campaign on Friday, a TMC release said.
Ms Banerjee took on the Opposition for levelling baseless charges against her regarding the chit fund scam. She also said that just before the elections, the TMC is being targeted by the CBI. ““Narendra Modi can send 500 notices to the TMC if he wants. We will not budge from our stand on the land Bill,” she said.
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Regarding the sale of her paintings and books she said, “We have filed IT returns. I don’t claim to be a professional painter. I draw on canvas whatever I feel like. If people give us even one penny from their hard-earned money, it is a big blessing for us. Proceeds from the sale of my paintings and books go to the party. I don’t take a rupee. I even pay for my tea at Nabanna.”
She also stressed the need to initiate immediate electoral reforms, stressing that “small parties” like the TMC cannot afford to spend much in the elections.