New platform for citizens to share feedback, reach out to Mamata

Kolkata: Days after launching a massive outreach campaign, a new online movement was launched on Friday through which people can share their opinions, particularly as to why they are proud of the achievements of TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Amar Gorbo Mamata" (Mamata My Pride) is a new Twitter page where citizens were asked to describe why they feel Banerjee is their pride, given the kind of development work her government has undertaken in the last eight years.

The earlier campaign, "Didi Ke Bolo", has earned a tremendous response from the people and all the MLAs have launched it in their respective constituencies.

Though the Trinamool Congress has increased its vote percentage in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, some rank and file members of the party became sceptical about its future as many workers joined the BJP.

Banerjee met the district presidents and the functionaries and asked them to intensify their connect with the masses. On July 21, while addressing the Martyrs' Day rally, Banerjee announced the "Janasanyog Yatra" where leaders up to the Block level were asked to talk to the people. "Listen to them patiently and try to address the problems they are facing," she told them.

After a week of the July 21 rally, she launched "Didi Ke Bolo" campaign. Lakhs of people have already got in touch with her.

Banerjee has over and again urged her leaders to become active on social media and oppose the canard spread against the Trinamool Congress by those with vested interests. She is herself very active on social media and gives her reactions through Facebook and Twitter immediately after any incident takes place or a political statement is made by any leader.

The people have been asked to respond as to why they feel proud of her. This is mainly to woo the younger generation who are very active on social media and often give their opinions without any hesitation.

This response from the masses will be the driving force for the party to frame policies which will, in turn, help to iron out the loopholes. Before the civic polls which are scheduled to be held in 2020, the party wants to take every step cautiously and carefully with the aim to regain its lost ground.

It may be mentioned that the Trinamool supremo has urged her leaders "not to become adamant and listen to each and every person. If you talk to the people politely, they will feel free to inform you about their needs." Banerjee has received several letters written by common people about the highhandedness of several leaders, mainly from the rural belt.