On Sunday, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) held its ‘Martyr’s Day’ rally in Kolkata’s Esplanade. The event, held in honour of 13 individuals who were killed in police firing during a Youth Congress rally against the Left Front government in 1993, was also attended by INDIA bloc’s Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Abhishek Banerjee and host of other senior TMC leaders and workers graced the rally. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was the biggest attraction. Thousands of party workers and supporters waited for hours in heavy rain as the Trinamool supremo, completely drenched, addressed them in her usual high-octane manner.
She gave a clear message to the BJP and other parties about the togetherness of the TMC and SP in the coming days. Raising Yadav’s hand, the 69-year-old declared, “We will fight together and save the country.” She had earlier said, “The government in Delhi will not run for long. Akhilesh [Yadav] showed them that in Uttar Pradesh.”
Meanwhile, continuing from her recent administrative and internal party meetings, Banerjee repeatedly warned a section of her party leaders and workers who are allegedly involved in corrupt and illegal activities. “I want ethical workers and leaders, not wealthy people.”
“I don’t want any complaint about any leader. The party will take appropriate action [if I receive complaints]. Eat what you have in your home. Stop being greedy,” she said amidst a thunderous response from the crowd.
The chief minister was also seen targeting the BJP over communal politics, discrimination and alleged misuse of central agencies. “I salute the way people fought the BJP that threatened everyone with agencies, made illegal arrests and had the media with them. I salute them for supporting Trinamool.”
Banerjee also addressed the allegations of job and recruitment-related corruption against her government. “I have 1 million government jobs ready. But whenever I try to do something, they take the matter to the court. Sometimes they claim I am taking away 26,000 jobs, sometimes 42,000, and sometimes they ask for the removal of OBC reservations. This will not happen. We are fighting a legal battle and will continue to do so,” she added.
Abhishek Banerjee, general secretary of the TMC and Diamond Harbour MP, attacked the BJP government at the Centre over the alleged NEET scam. He said, “In the alleged SSC TET recruitment scam, central agencies arrested [former Education Minister of West Bengal] Partha Chatterjee. But independent India’s biggest scam is the NEET scam. Why are then ED, CBI not raiding [Union Minister of Education] Dharmendra Pradhan?”
Abhishek also tread the same path as her aunt and spent majority of his time on the stage instructing the party leaders and workers to not take law and order into their hands. “Trinamool workers are the strength of Trinamool. Our workers must remain restrained. Do not engage in any kind of argument or dispute,” he said. “People voted for you because they trust you. Stay responsible.”
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who thanked the Trinamool and Banerjee for inviting him, launched a direct attack on the BJP-led central government. “They want to rule by dividing people. They may succeed for some time but they will eventually fail. The government in Delhi will not run for long.”
“Communal forces are rising. If people like you stand by Didi, she will be able to counter all conspiracies,” he said. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister further said, “Those in power in Delhi use martyrs to maintain their hold. They can do whatever they please. When the public awakens, these people’s false propaganda takes a hit and they become disheartened.”
“We, you and I, do not engage in negative politics. We practice positive politics. Change will come soon in people’s lives. We must unite for the people. Change must come,” the Kannauj MP said while asserting that the SP will “always be with the Trinamool”.
