Lal Quila our next target, says Mamata

Purulia: In the backdrop of the BJP's win over the 25-year-old Left Front rule in Tripura elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday raised the clarion call "Target Lal Quila" to counter the saffron party's "Target Bangla" slogan.

Addressing a mammoth rally in Purulia, she said: "Some are saying that their next target is Bangla (Bengal). If that is the case "Chalo Delhi" and let's target "Lal Quila". Netaji Subhas Bose first gave it and we believe that Bengal can show the way. We want to give this clear message to the people that Bengal does not want anything, but we will always be beside those who are determined to wage the battle to oust the divisive forces."

Without naming the BJP, she added: "You cannot take the credit of winning an election by robbing common men and spending the money during polls. It is a criminal offence to win an election by distributing money."

This was Banerjee's first public rally after the BJP won the Tripura Assembly election.

Banerjee said Bengal had never encouraged riots and any attempt to organise them would be thwarted. She said during her earlier visits to Purulia she had seen tears in the eyes of people because of poverty. But the various projects taken up by the state government have helped them to iron out everyday issues that they used to face. The state government is giving rice at Rs 2 per kg now. "We are giving huge subsidy and will continue to give them this benefit," she added.

Banerjee said the Kanyashree project had helped girls to build tremendous self-confidence. "Under the project, they are getting all facilities to go ahead with their studies. We are proud of them, and I sincerely believe that they will reach the top someday."

The Rupashree project that will assist poor parents to organise their daughter's marriage will be implemented from April. Under the Sabuj Sathi project, around 70 lakh bicycles will be distributed among students of state-run, aided and sponsored schools. "We have decided to give cycles to students of Class IX every year," she stated.

She inaugurated a slew of projects including the opening of Malati Primary health centre at Balarampur block after renovation, Sitaram Mahato Memorial College building in Puncha block among others. Banerjee also laid the foundation stone for the construction of 82 new roads and distributed scholarships under Kanyshree and Sikshashree projects and gave out saplings to the new mothers and distributed cycles under Sabuj Sathi scheme.