CM urges Cong workers not to vote for CPI(M)

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday urged Congress workers not to vote for the CPI(M) as some leaders had sold the party to the latter.

While addressing a rally in favour of Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Soumik Hossain here, Banerjee said, “Do not cast your vote in favour of the CPI(M) as they have betrayed the country and insulted the national heroes.” She had also attended a meeting in Sagardighi on Tuesday. The Congress has strong base in both the areas. 

“CPI(M) has insulted our national heroes like Netaji and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. They have criticised Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi using unparliamentary words and now they are holding hands of the Congress to keep their existence intact,” she said.

She said the Trinamool Congress had ousted the CPI(M) which was not possible for the Congress.

“The CPI(M) has given up Marx and Lenin and they are now holding the hands of the Congress,” she said, urging hardcore Congress workers not to vote to for the CPI(M). “Did you join the party to hold CPI(M)’s flag or shout their slogans? Do not cast vote in favour of the CPI(M), who had insulted the Congress and killed many of its workers.”

Banerjee said the CPI(M) and the Congress had become two sides of the same coin. The alliance will be defeated handsomely, she said. She also cautioned the dissident party workers and said “do not work for the Opposition by taking money”.

In addition to the Congress and the CPI(M), Banerjee said the BJP was the third force that was backing them. “The BJP cannot manage Delhi and will not be able to manage Bengal,” she said, adding “the sole business of these parties is to criticise the Trinamool Congress without any rhyme or reason.” Banerjee said after formation of the Trinamool Congress in 1998, it could not field candidates in Murshidabad, Malda and North Dinajpur as the election was just three weeks away. 

In 2011 election, it had got only one seat in Murshidabad and in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the TMC did not win any seat in both the districts. Despite that, no discrimination was made while carrying out development. Projects like Kanyashri and Sabuj Sathi have helped the women and students. People were getting free treatment in state-run hospitals. Three super specialty hospitals have come up in the district.

Banerjee urged people to vote for the Trinamool Congress for all round development of the districts. She said young leaders should be encouraged by casting votes in their favour to sustained development. The presence of young people in the meetings was remarkable.