Kolkata: Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee concluded his election campaign at Nadia's Haringhata on Saturday, launching a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and accusing the saffron party of humiliating and depriving the Matua community by making unfulfilled promises of citizenship and jobs.
Allegations Against BJP Leaders
Banerjee criticized BJP leaders for shedding crocodile tears for the Matua community in North 24 Parganas and Nadia, both Matua strongholds. He recalled statements from BJP MLA Asim Sarkar and Union Minister Shantanu Thakur, who reportedly said that deleting Matua names from voter lists would not be their concern. Banerjee contrasted this with the Trinamool Congress's support, from setting up SIR enumeration form fill-up kiosks to fighting in the Supreme Court.
Removal of Names from Voter Lists
Banerjee highlighted that despite having all valid documents, Matua names were forcibly removed from the voter list. He claimed that the BJP government, under Asim Sarkar and Shantanu Thakur, removed names even of those who had been in India for 100 years, while those who arrived by December 31, 2024, were promised citizenship. He credited Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for moving the Supreme Court to clear names after logical discrepancies.
Call for Political Reckoning
Stressing that the TMC will always fight for those whose names were removed, Banerjee warned that no relationship is one-sided. He pointed out that in Harighanta-Kalyani, Bongaon, and other areas, voters had repeatedly given opportunities to the BJP in 2019, 2021, and 2024, but the double-engine government had not brought any benefits. He urged voters to respond to those who betrayed them.
Promise to Restore Voter Names
Banerjee assured those whose names were deleted not to be afraid, promising that after the TMC government is formed on May 4, their names would be enrolled in voter lists by May 31.
Attacks on BJP's Respect for Bengalis
Alleging that the BJP has no respect for Bengalis, Banerjee claimed that icons like Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda would have been served SIR notices if they were alive today. At another meeting in Dhaniakhali, he said that if BJP leaders are seen distributing money, people should accept it as it belongs to them, because the Centre has deprived the state of Rs 1 lakh crore in central dues. He urged people to take the money and vote for TMC.
Mocking BJP's Campaign Tactics
Banerjee mocked those who have been chanting Jai Shri Ram since 2014 and mocking Bengali food habits, now campaigning with fish. He reiterated that the TMC had already crossed a century in the first phase of polls on April 23.
