Nandigram, the site of anti-land acquisition movement, will spearhead change from three decades of Left Front rule in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee claimed on Thursday.
“Nandigram will be the turning point for change for the ouster of the CPI (M) from power after 35 years of misrule,” Ms. Banerjee told an election rally here in East Midnapore district.
“I’ve decided to begin my poll campaigning for East Midnapur from here where hundreds of people fought against the atrocities of CPI (M) cadres,” Ms. Banerjee said while referring to the death of 14 persons in East Midnapore district in police firing on March 14, 2007.
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“The fight of the people of Nandigram against the injustices committed by the Left Front government is an example before the entire world. It has become an example for fight against the forcible land acquisition,” she said.
“The people of Nandigram have shown how to fight peacefully against guns,” she said.
Reiterating that farmland would not be acquired forcibly if her party came to power, she said a ship building unit would be set up at Jelingham, near here.
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Similarly, at Nayachar where the state government has decided to set up the chemical hub after the Nandigram fiasco, Ms. Banerjee said an eco-park would be built.
She said if voted to power the party would create 10,000 jobs in the area, a school and a hospital.
Referring to the recent demand of Left parties to the Election Commission for executing non-bailable warrants against those terrorising people ahead of elections, she alleged that local Trinamool Congress leaders were being implicated for the movement in support of farmers.
“Does one have to go to jail for agitating against the government? I challenge the CPI (M) to fight our candidates democratically in East Midnapore district. How long will they threaten the people?” she asked.
She said that all political cases would be withdrawn if the Trinamool Congress and Congress alliance came to power.
Apparently referring to the CPI (M)’s charges that her party had used black money to fund the elections, she said “No amount of calumny and character assassination will stop change that is coming to Bengal.”
Polling will be held in Nandigram in the fourth phase of the elections on May three.