Mamata Banerjee Launches Scathing Attack on BJP in West Bengal Assembly Session
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a fiery response in the Assembly on Thursday, targeting the Opposition BJP with sharp criticism during the discussion on Governor C V Ananda Bose's address. This session marks the last before the upcoming state elections, adding political intensity to the proceedings.
'You Are Zero and Will Be Zero': Mamata's Direct Jab at BJP
In a bold statement, Banerjee declared, "You are zero and will be zero. You can use all your agencies against us. Bengal's people will not accept you (BJP). You people will lose many seats." This direct challenge came as she addressed allegations against her Government concerning illegal immigration and the revision of electoral rolls.
Defending the Governor's Address and Addressing Omissions
Banerjee also responded to criticism from Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who pointed out that the Governor's customary address, prepared by the Government, omitted mentions of women's safety and law and order. Adhikari claimed these omissions led the Governor to skip reading the full speech.
However, the Chief Minister defended the Governor, stating, "The honourable governor, as far as I know—I don't want to disclose what was discussed with me—he likely has a flight at 1.15. For that reason, he spoke for the time he had and wished to lay the rest with the permission of the chair." She further explained that this practice aligns with parliamentary systems, citing her own experience as Railway Minister in Parliament.
Countering Allegations on Electoral Roll Revision
Referring to BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh's claim of a 70 per cent increase in voters between 2009 and 2014, Banerjee questioned the basis of this calculation. "Will the new students and youths not be included? Will those completing 18 years of age not get voting rights? Tell me... I am answering because you mentioned these things in [the discussion about] the governor's address. Secondly, you mentioned 70 per cent. Where did this calculation come from? I don't think even a magician could prove this," she asserted.
Addressing Illegal Immigration and Central Agency Cooperation
On the issue of illegal immigration, Banerjee accused central departments related to border management of not sharing information with the West Bengal Government. "And you are talking about the border? When that meeting took place, you weren't even present. You are just repeating what you heard from someone else. You have been taught like a parrot. Forget it. I have seen many home ministers... I am asking you, why is data not shared with us?" she said.
She highlighted that for the past decade, agencies like Customs, Aviation, and Rail have stopped sharing details with state police, despite her raising the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Land Allocation and Broader Political Criticisms
Banerjee also addressed land allocation issues, stating, "Secondly, to whom have we not given land? Should I give everything to the Government of India while you keep shouting? Are you going to occupy Bengal?" She listed instances where land was provided to entities like Coal India, SAIL, SSB, BSF, and CRPF.
Further targeting BJP MLAs, she questioned their response to migrant workers from West Bengal facing issues in other states, saying, "As a Bengali, shouldn't you have protested when migrant workers (from the state) were being tortured in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, and UP?"
Governor's Address and Social Welfare Schemes
The Governor's address had praised the Government's social welfare schemes, a point Banerjee emphasized in her defense. She reiterated that the Governor said what was necessary, aligning with standard parliamentary practices.
This Assembly session has set a confrontational tone ahead of the state elections, with Banerjee's remarks highlighting ongoing tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP in West Bengal.
