Mamata Banerjee Intensifies Campaign in Murshidabad, Calls for Anti-BJP Unity
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a series of impassioned speeches across the minority-dominated district of Murshidabad on Sunday, making a fervent appeal to voters to rally behind the Trinamool Congress to safeguard Bengal from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She warned that a split in anti-BJP votes could lead to the BJP "capturing" the state and potentially dividing it.
Direct Appeal to Voters and Warnings of State Division
At her rallies, Banerjee stated emphatically, "If you vote for Trinamool, I will be able to protect you. Otherwise, BJP will capture Bengal." She elaborated on the stakes, cautioning that a fragmented opposition vote might enable the BJP to seize control of key regions like Malda, Murshidabad, and north Bengal, which could then be separated from the rest of the state. "A lot of conspiracy is going on," she added, urging unity to thwart these plans.
Beyond her speeches, the Chief Minister led a 3-kilometer march in Behrampore, demonstrating her grassroots engagement. Murshidabad, with its 22 assembly constituencies, is a critical battleground. In the 2021 assembly elections, Trinamool won 20 seats here, with the BJP securing the remaining two, while the Congress and Left Front contested jointly. This election cycle, the district is witnessing a five-cornered contest, featuring candidates from Trinamool, BJP, Congress, Left Front, and the Humayun Kabir-Asaduddin Owaisi alliance.
Sharp Criticism of Amit Shah and Central Government Policies
Banerjee launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of orchestrating voter deletions to send people to detention camps. She vowed, "As long as I am in office, NRC and detention camps will not be allowed in Bengal." Challenging Shah directly, she said, "Fight us face-to-face if you have the guts. Why are you taking away people's rights?" She questioned the legitimacy of the BJP's electoral victories, suggesting they relied on "infiltrators' votes" and demanded resignations if true.
She further accused Shah of interfering in Bengal's governance, stating, "Who are you to interfere? You are in office at Centre. I do not have the power to interfere there; likewise, you do not have the power to interfere here." Banerjee criticized his absence during crises like riverbank erosion and the need for dredging at the Farakka barrage, labeling him "anti-woman, anti-youth and anti-worker."
Allegations of Officer Harassment and Electoral Malpractices
The CM alleged that Shah has disrespected and harassed state officers, including IPS, IAS, WBPS, and WBCS officials, as well as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Booth Level Officers (BLOs), leading to suicides. She highlighted incidents where migrant laborers from Malda and Murshidabad were lynched in BJP-ruled states and people were driven out for speaking Bengali.
Banerjee also pointed to the Election Commission's decision to transfer a Bengal officer with two spastic children to Tamil Nadu for poll duty, questioning the motive. "What is the reason behind sending Bengal's officers to Tamil Nadu? Is there an 'understanding'?" she asked, implying that officers deployed in Bengal have strong BJP connections.
Warnings Against Communal Politics and Call for Democratic Action
In a veiled reference to Asaduddin Owaisi, Banerjee cautioned against "a neta from Hyderabad, along with some local traitors and those who have come from Delhi," urging voters to teach them a harsh lesson democratically. She warned against communal provocations, noting that just as BJP has communal elements, there are individuals in Bengal who act for money and only appear during elections.
Addressing concerns about voter list deletions during the Summary Revision (SIR), she noted that Hindus have also been affected, citing examples in Bagda, Gaighata, Bongaon, and among Rajbanshis in Cooch Behar. She called on party workers to take "democratic revenge against SIR" on April 23 and remain vigilant during counting.
This rally underscores the high-stakes political climate in West Bengal, with Banerjee positioning Trinamool as the sole bulwark against BJP expansion and state fragmentation, while highlighting alleged electoral injustices and central overreach.
