Former West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday launched a blistering attack on the BJP government, accusing it of transforming the state police into an instrument of political intimidation and vowing to take her campaign against the ruling dispensation across Bengal.
Addressing supporters at a rally marking the foundation day of the TMC Chhatra Parishad, Banerjee contrasted the present police force with the one that operated during her 15 years in government, claiming it had once maintained a “humane face” but had now become a “monstrous entity”. She alleged that TMC workers were being subjected to police action at the BJP’s direction and said she would fight such alleged excesses politically and legally.
‘Do not recognise this police force’
Banerjee said police personnel during her government had helped citizens and exercised restraint even during difficult situations. She alleged that the force now relied on coercive methods against political opponents. Calling sections of the police “slaves and stooges of the BJP”, she warned officers against acting on political instructions and asked them to consider how they would respond if similar treatment were meted out to their own families.
She also claimed that people in an intoxicated state were regularly being sent near her Kalighat residence at night to create disturbances. Banerjee questioned the BJP government’s reliance on central forces, arguing that her administration had governed Bengal for 15 years without depending on them to the same extent.
Targets Suvendu, BJP
The TMC chief directly targeted Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and accused the BJP of attempting to rule Bengal through intimidation and “muscle power”. She described the BJP as a “highly loaded, high-voltage virus” that caused destruction wherever it spread and called upon students and young people to resist what she described as an oppressive government.
Banerjee also alleged electoral manipulation by the BJP, accusing it of using the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision process to remove large numbers of voters from electoral rolls. The allegations were political claims made by the TMC leader. She asserted that the BJP lacked a genuine grassroots organisation in Bengal and was instead depending on the administration and police to exert pressure on political opponents.
Vows statewide tour
Banerjee announced that she would soon travel across West Bengal to mobilise supporters against the government. She said that if permission for TMC public meetings was denied, she would take to the streets rather than repeatedly approach courts seeking permission for political programmes.
Referring to alleged attacks on TMC leaders, Banerjee said she was prepared to confront attempts to prevent her from campaigning and declared that the party would seek the support of people for holding its programmes. She also expressed confidence that the Trinamool Congress would return to power, claiming public resentment against the BJP government was growing.
Questions eviction drives
Banerjee also attacked the state government over eviction drives targeting hawkers. She said she was not opposed to clearing pavements but insisted that people dependent on street vending for their livelihoods should first be provided suitable rehabilitation. If rehabilitation could not be arranged, she demanded that affected hawkers be paid compensation of Rs 25,000 a month.
Crowd disrupts rally
The programme witnessed brief disorder after Banerjee reached the stage, as supporters and party workers attempted to move through barricades towards the main dais. The resulting congestion trapped several private vehicles and ambulances and forced proceedings to stop for about 20 minutes. Banerjee intervened to help clear the way for the stranded vehicles before returning to the stage and continuing her address.