Bengal tackled Maoist problem in 2 yrs: Mamata

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked the BJP for its failure to check the Maoist menace in Chhattisgarh where it has been in power for the past 15 years while she has been able to resolve it in her state "in just two years".

The Chief Minister attacked the party as Maoists continued to create violence when the state went to polls in 18 seats on Monday. It may be mentioned that 14 people were killed in the Maoist attack in the past 15 days in Chhattisgarh.

Banerjee, who was addressing a gathering at the inaugural ceremony of Jagaddhatri Puja at Posta on Monday, said: "In Chhattisgarh, Maoist attacks are continuing even on the day of the election in 18 seats. They (BJP) are in power in that state for the past 15 years but have failed to contain the Maoist issue. Here in Bengal, we have tackled the situation only in two years' time (after coming to power)."

It may be mentioned that the Mamata Banerjee government had restored peace in the Maoist-infested Jangalmahal area and ensured an overall development in the past seven years.

Besides this, the Chief Minister also added that it is only during the elections that BJP leaders approach the voters. "During elections, you (BJP) can only think of religion... Sometimes, they (BJP) seek votes in the name of Lord Rama as well."

She further maintained: "We remain with the masses round the year. I come to Posta and Burrabazar every year and my colleagues remain beside you on all the 365 days in a year. We all come whenever you call us. We also come whenever there is a meeting of traders. But I know that our candidates do not get many votes from this area in the civic polls. I would like to urge you all to ask them (BJP) what development work have they done for Posta and Burrabazar?"

"But there are those who go for politics of division during elections. BJP urges Hindi-speaking people to vote for them," said Banerjee adding that "Why should they vote for BJP?"

Referring to the recent attacks on workers from Bihar in Gujarat and the National Register of Citizens in Assam, she accused the BJP of driving out Biharis from Gujarat and Bengalis from Assam.

" I want to ask the BJP: why have you driven out Biharis from Gujarat? Sometimes, you drive out Biharis from Gujarat and sometimes you drive out Bengalis from Assam. Someday you will drive them (Bengalis) out from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. This is your habit," the Chief Minister said.

She also took a swipe at the BJP in connection with its Ratha Yatra in Bengal saying that "we have seen many such gimmicks before."