Bengal to show the way in 2019, asserts Mamata

Siliguri: Indicating that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would play a major role in national politics, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday stated that the state will show the way in 2019 when the next general election is due.

The TMC would work to finish those spreading communalism in the country, she said at the party's student-youth convention here and asked them to strengthen the party.

Accusing the BJP-led Centre of conspiring against her regime by sowing the seeds of communalism, the Chief Minister alleged that it was "even indulging in a false campaign on social media against us" and appealed to people to remain alert.

"This party, BJP, is flush with funds. It is conspiring from Assam on how to foment communal riots in Cooch Behar (district). The party's only motive is to trigger communal riots in North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts.

BJP brings only briefcases to North Bengal, rather than ushering in development in the region. Nobody knows whether there is money or something else in the briefcases. BJP is only busy aiding riots and fanning secessionist movements," Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister extended her support to Andhra Pradesh's ruling party, saying she would support any state which was facing neglect from the Centre like her Bengal.

"West Bengal is facing the maximum deprivation and neglect under the present regime at the Centre. You can't browbeat the Trinamool by treating Bengal in a step-motherly way. And it is for similar reasons that Andhra Pradesh has also become vocal ."

Criticising the BJP, she further added that the party had given assurances to open the closed tea gardens of the Duncan group before elections but in the past one year no step has been taken in this direction. "The Duncan group has opened two of its closed units with the help of the state government," she maintained.

The Chief Minister further said that on March 6 and 7 respectively party workers will take out rallies in every block to protest against the Centre's failure to control price hike that has "affected the kitchen of every family."

On March 8, she will address a rally organised by women at the Gandhi Statue in Kolkata while party leaders including Shashi Panja will go to North Bengal to address a rally.

She has also directed Abhishek Banerjee to hold conventions in every district.