Mamata vows to thwart bid to whip up communal passions

Welcoming the judgment of Supreme Court that any appeal for votes on the ground of “religion, race, caste, community or language” will amount to “corrupt practice”, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said: “We have to build a united country. I don’t support riots and will not allow anyone to instigate the same that will affect the harmony of the state.”

She was speaking at the inauguration of Jangalmahal Festival in Midnapore on Tuesday.

Banerjee said: “I welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court. Religion doesn’t mean vote bank. It is not right if someone creates rivalry between two groups for their own benefit. I condemn such move and would fight till the end to keep Bengal free from all such ill effects.”

“Bengal is the land of renaissance and it is not the place for such cheap politics. In a bid to ensure safety and security of the people I will not allow anyone to create any situation that would hamper the peace in any parts of the state,” she said, adding that steps will be taken to restrict anyone from creating any fresh trouble.

Banerjee also said: “We will continue to fight against those who are trying to inflame communal passion in the country and engineer riots. We will thwart their ill designs”.

Asserting she would go as far necessary to uphold secularism, Banerjee added: “Won’t allow anyone to play dirty politics by the name of religion”.

Banerjee also attacked the Modi government saying that the Centre is threatening using its agencies like Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation. “The agencies are kept ready to take action against the people those who will raise their voice against the Centre’s decisions those are hampering the federal structure of the country,” Banerjee said adding that Modi government has nothing to give to the people and he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is banking either on notebandi (demonetisation) or dangafandi (conspiracy to create riot).

But such politics cannot continue for long, she said adding that “it causes damage to the future of the country. The people of the country gave their blessing once, but it will not give a second opportunity (to Modi).”