Mamata Banerjee Counters PM Modi in Singur with Massive Development Push
In a bold political move, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated or laid the foundation stone for 1,694 projects worth Rs 33,551 crore in Singur on Wednesday. This event is widely seen as a direct counter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the same region on January 18, setting the stage for a fierce political showdown in the state.
"I Keep Promises 100%": Mamata's Assurance to the People
Addressing a large gathering in Singur, Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP, stating, "Many people give big promises but do not keep them. My principle is that I would rather die than not keep my word. I keep promises 100 per cent. I don't do jumla. We are not a dual-engine government. We are the government of ma-mati-manush." Her remarks underscored her commitment to development and governance, contrasting her administration with the central government.
Ghatal Master Plan: A Decade-Long Fight Against Floods
One of the key highlights of the event was the inauguration of the Ghatal Master Plan, a comprehensive flood control initiative aimed at curbing the devastating annual floods in the region. Banerjee revealed that the state government had been writing to the Centre for 10 years seeking assistance, but received no concrete support. "They always fooled us. Now, we have fooled them and sanctioned money for the Ghatal Master Plan," she declared triumphantly.
Work worth Rs 500 crore has already been completed under this plan, with an additional Rs 1,000 crore worth of projects set to be finished soon. The chief minister outlined ambitious targets for 2027, including increasing river dam heights by about 50 metres, digging canals and rivers up to 50 km, and constructing two pump houses, three regulators, a bridge extension, and 104 new bridges through the Irrigation and Water Resources Department.
Banglar Bari Housing Scheme: 32 Lakh Homes in Two Months
In a major announcement for housing, Banerjee revealed that 32 lakh houses will be built under the Banglar Bari housing scheme over the next two months. She emphasized that one crore homes have already been constructed under this initiative, with 12 lakh houses recently distributed. Criticizing the central government, she said, "Delhi has not paid a single rupee... When the money comes in, they will lay the bricks for the house. I don't want anyone to suffer. Let everyone have a roof over their heads."
Political Barbs and Broader Implications
Banerjee didn't hold back in her criticism of the BJP-led central government on multiple fronts. She accused Prime Minister Modi of refusing to grant classical language status to Bengali, despite sending extensive documentation. "You kill people if anybody speaks Bengali," she charged, highlighting linguistic tensions.
She also targeted the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, vowing to fight it in court if necessary. "They are showing arrogance. I will crush all. Just stay by me. Stay healthy," she asserted, rallying her supporters.
Infrastructure and Employment Boost
The chief minister laid the foundation stone for a warehouse project in Singur, which is expected to generate thousands of jobs. She highlighted previous development successes in Hooghly district, including Furfura Sharif, Jairambati, and Kamarpukur, showcasing her government's track record in regional development.
Support from Local Leaders
Actor-turned-MP Dipak Adhikari (Dev), who represents the Ghatal constituency, praised Banerjee for fulfilling long-standing demands. "Nobody kept their word. Only one person did and that is Mamata Banerjee. I thank didi on behalf of the people of Ghatal," he said, acknowledging her efforts in securing the Ghatal Master Plan after a decade of advocacy.
Adhikari also addressed the political climate, noting, "Today is the age of social media. Trolling starts as soon as something is said. Earlier, I said that Trinamool will win 250 seats and a lot of trolling started. But you say, it is normal for people to have trust in a government that promises development and implements it."
This event in Singur not only marks a significant development push but also reinforces Mamata Banerjee's political narrative of delivering on promises and standing up to central authority, setting the tone for upcoming electoral battles in West Bengal.
