Won't use religion for votes: CM
Jambuni: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the BJP for selling the name of Ram to earn money and garner votes.
As the RSS and VHP are trying to vehemently push for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, addressing a gathering here on Monday afternoon, the Chief Minister said: "BJP is selling Ram to earn money. They set everything on fire and spread hatred to destroy the social fabric of our country. We believe in religious harmony and peace." She said her party follows the tenets of 'Sarva Dharma' — accommodating all religions and not differentiating people on the basis of faith. "We don't sell the name of god to earn votes," she maintained.
She further added that before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, BJP had announced that black money will be unearthed and every person will get Rs 15 lakh and this mount will be deposited in their bank accounts, "have you received the money," she asked.
She alleged that the saffron party is deliberately misguiding people. Narrating her own experience, she said that while coming to Kolkata after attending a meeting, she met a 70-year-old woman who told her that she was not getting any benefits under the schemes taken up by the state government. The Chief Minister said: "When I asked her whether she is getting rice at Rs 2 per kg or free medical treatments in government hospitals she answered in the positive. Then she told me that she was not getting any benefit out of the Kanyashree project. I told her that it is given only to girls who are studying. The elderly woman then said that "just imagine to what extent the BJP can go to misdirect people."
Coming down heavily on BJP and CPI(M), the Chief Minister said none of them could be seen when Jhargram was reeling under Maoist attacks. Students could not go to schools and colleges, people had nothing to eat and the Maoists had unleashed a reign of terror in the area. "I came to the areas like Lalgarh, Binpur, Narayangarh and its neighbourhood where the Maoists were active. On one occasion, I was stranded at Pirakata forest for several hours. I did not care for my life. But never for once, the BJP nor CPIM workers could be seen in Jangalmahal and now when we have restored peace in Jhargram and Darjeeling, they are trying to create disturbance."
Banerjee urged the Kanyashree and Sabuj Sathi beneficiaries to talk to their parents and elders who are being misguided by the Opposition parties. "You have Kanyashree clubs. You should go to people and talk to them to ward off their misconception."
She urged the Panchayat members and government employees to listen to people and behave cordially with them. "You cannot solve all their problems but you will have to listen to them patiently and behave cordially with them, " she said.
Banerjee stated that the state government has taken every step to ensure education and meals for the tribals. "No other state government has taken such elaborate measures to ensure the development of the tribals. Even local artistes are being looked after and they get monthly stipends too. Despite these attempts, efforts are on to disturb the peace and stability of the areas and I urge you to step up vigil and resist such incidents."
