As West Bengal approaches its Assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised concerns on Sunday regarding the integrity of the BJP, accusing them of engaging in a “Rs 1,000-crore arrangement” with former TMC member Humayun Kabir aimed at destabilizing her government.
Banerjee’s comments were prompted by a recent video that allegedly shows Kabir, who has formed a new political entity, discussing his collaboration with the BJP to unseat her.
Speaking at a public gathering at the Lodna Football Ground, the Chief Minister claimed that this alleged pact is part of a broader strategy to undermine her party.
She expressed her indignation over incidents where women have faced harassment during security checks, labeling such behavior as “the height of obscenity.”
“A deal of Rs 1,000 crore has been struck solely to fracture a political party. They assert that the video is fabricated using AI, yet the creator insists it is authentic. How long can the truth remain hidden? That is an enormous sum of money,” Banerjee stated.
Linking this alleged corruption to the struggles faced by ordinary citizens, she criticized the Central Government for its inability to keep fuel and gas prices in check, predicting further increases in costs after the elections.
The Chief Minister also addressed social media allegations made by actress Sreemoyee Chattoraj, who claimed that male police officers publicly searched through her personal belongings, including sanitary items, during a security check. Banerjee remarked that such occurrences are becoming increasingly common. “In the name of security, they are rummaging through women’s bags. Are you going to apply lipstick? Will you perform facials? Do you have no sense of decency?” she questioned. Banerjee also referenced another instance involving an elderly woman in Bhowanipore, urging women to formally report any such “obscene” treatment during car checks.
In her remarks, Banerjee strongly defended her government’s agricultural policies. Addressing a large audience, she accused her opponents of spreading a “firework of lies” about potato farming while neglecting the challenges faced by rural laborers.
She likened the Opposition’s inaction during natural disasters to the mythical figure Kumbhakarna, known for his deep slumber. “They claim potato farming in Bengal is failing. I ask, when floods devastate the fields, where are you? You are asleep,” Banerjee proclaimed.
Contrasting this with the proactive measures taken by the State Agriculture Department, she highlighted their efforts in conducting door-to-door assessments to ensure that all affected farmers receive adequate compensation. She emphasized that farmers do not need to pay for insurance as the government covers the entire cost.
The government is also working to improve the agricultural sector by expanding cold storage facilities and providing modern farming tools.
In response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recently issued “chargesheet” against the TMC government, Banerjee countered with her own list of accusations. “They have the nerve to present a chargesheet? Our chargesheet is directed at you for oppressing the nation, undermining the Constitution, and committing injustices against our mothers and sisters,” she asserted.
She dismissed the BJP’s promises as “disrespectful,” pointing out that the West Bengal Government has already addressed the 7th Pay Commission in its February budget and is the only state consistently offering pensions.
Banerjee defended Bengal’s culinary heritage against what she described as “food interference” from the BJP. “In BJP-governed states, there are bans on fish. Here, children go to school with boiled rice and fish fry. If you wish to eat mushrooms, go ahead, but why attack the food of Bengal?”
She mentioned that her government allocated Rs 3,000 crore for the Damodar Basin Project to mitigate flooding in Burdwan. Additionally, 1.3 crore (13 million) mud homes have been upgraded to permanent structures. She announced that the state will now cover the Rs 2,000 monthly electricity bill for small-scale farmers and provide Rs 4,000 annually to agricultural laborers.
Banerjee also reiterated the achievements of the Lakshmir Bhandar and Swasthya Sathi government schemes.
The Chief Minister urged citizens to remain vigilant against “baskets of lies,” asserting that while the Election Commission is currently in control, her government will uphold its promises once the Model Code of Conduct is lifted.
