Don't vote for CPM, BJP, Cong: CM urges Jangalmahal residents

Belpahari (Jhargram): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the people of Junglemahal not to vote for CPI-M, BJP or Congress in the ensuing Panchayat elections and advised them not to get instigated by any rumour or canard spread by these political parties.

She was addressing a gathering here on Thursday afternoon after distributing different items to nearly 20,000 beneficiaries, which included musical instruments like Dhamsa and Madal to cars under Gatidhara scheme.

Banerjee said the Opposition parties come to the area before election just to foment trouble. "They will tell you not to do this or do that. Do not listen to them and do not cast any vote in favour of these political parties," she said.

Banerjee maintained that for all round development of the area, control over the Panchayats is required. "It is only through the Panchayats, that various benefits are given to the people and so control over the Panchayats is required," she maintained.

She said the Left Front government did not carry out any development work in Jangalmahal. The area had earned such a bad name that people had stopped coming to the area. But now, the situation has changed completely. She thanked the people for helping the state government restore peace in Jangalmahal.

"I used to come to the area during trouble. Neither CPI-M nor BJP leaders had ever come to the area and now as the Panchayat election is advancing, they are visiting different areas to create trouble," she said, adding "They tried to set Darjeeling on fire. I am happy that peace has been restored in Darjeeling due to the initiatives taken by people."

She said during the past seven years, massive development has taken place in Jangalmahal. Three super speciality hospitals at Jhargram, Nayagram and Gopiballavpur have come up in Jhargram district.

Roads have been constructed in Belpahari and Amlasole, eco tourism centres have come up in different places and tourism is coming up in the district in a very big way. Through Kanyashree, Sabujsathi and Sikhashree, the student community has been hugely benefitted.

Banerjee urged the Panchayats to ensure that people get Rs 2 per kilogram rice and warned that no one will be spared if people fail to get it. She requested the rice mill owners to give good quality rice as the state government is giving huge subsidy to procure it.

"You are taking money from the state government and so you cannot give poor quality rice," she said.

It may be recalled that during the administrative meeting held in Nadia on Tuesday, some Panchayat members alleged that people were getting poor quality rice.

Banerjee reiterated that a university will come up at Jhargram soon. She said the state government has okayed the proposal to include Kurmi community in the ST category. The matter has been forwarded to the Centre for final clearance, she said.

She said the inauguration of 13,000 km of rural roads in Nadia will change the rural scenario in Bengal.

"Give your blessings so that we can work for Maa, Mati and Manush and bring forth all-round development in Bengal," she said.