.jpg?rect=0%2C0%2C1200%2C675&w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
KOLKATA: In the backdrop of the ongoing violence in Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday suggested that she would keep the doors of her state open for people in distress from the neighbouring country and offer them shelter.
Addressing the 'Martyrs Day' rally of the TMC in Esplanade, Kolkata, Banerjee said “ Whatever is happening in Bangladesh is their internal matter and we as a state cannot comment on this . But according to UN guidelines we will welcome all refugees who will be dislodged from their home and hearth in Bangladesh and seek refuge in our state.”
She stated an example from Assamese people who were allowed to live in the Alipurduars area of north Bengal for a considerable period during the Bodo strife in the northeastern state.
Assuring all cooperation to Bengal residents whose relatives may have remained stuck on account of the escalating violence on the eastern side of the international border, she also extended assistance to Bangladeshis who came to Bengal but were facing difficulty in returning home.
She also asked the people of Bengal not to get into any provocation or to listen to any rumours regarding the ongoing violence that may trigger tension and trouble in West Bengal.
In her address, Banerjee reiterated that the NDA government at the Centre would be short-lived. She emphasized that she, along with other like-minded parties in the INDIA Bloc, including Akhilesh Yadav, would work together to remove the BJP and end its misrule. She made these remarks while welcoming former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who was a special guest at the 'Martyrs' Day' rally.
"The BJP does not have the numbers , but still by coercion and by purchasing some other parties they have formed the government. But this will not last long and we are fighting to throw them out very soon.” added Banerjee.
In view of the mounting charges of corruption against her party cadre, Mamata Banerjee instructed party members not to indulge in any corruption or malpractices, but to serve the people and win their hearts, she said "Don't inflict injustice on people or tolerate it; we won't spare even TMC members if they are found guilty." "I want TMC workers to be the people's friends."
"The more we win , the more responsible we have to become . We won’t be rich, but we have to be conscience . Do not indulge in corrupt practices. If you see any MLA/councillor ,MP indulging in corruption report it to the party, The party will take action against them," she added.
Akhilesh Yadav who also addressed the rally said, “ NDA government won’t last long and they will fight together to throw it away. The people sitting in the Govt in Delhi are in power only for a few days. ('Woh sarkaar chalne wali nahi hai, woh sarkaar girne wali hai'.)
While praising Akhilesh Yadav, the TMC supremo said, 'The 'Khel' (game) you played in UP should have forced the BJP government (in UP) to resign, but the shameless government is continuing in power by misusing agencies and other means.
Two months after the Lok Sabha elections, TMC MP and second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee had been out of the public eye. He reappeared at today’s rally, explaining that he had been occupied with reviewing the party’s results and performance. He assured that the outcomes of this analysis would become apparent within the next two or three months.
It may be mentioned that Trinamool Congress is observing its annual 'Shahid Diwas' today in remembrance of 13 people shot dead in Kolkata in 1993 during a protest movement by the West Bengal Youth Congress
Despite heavy rains, a large crowd gathered at the Esplanade venue to listen to the party leaders' speeches and raise slogans in support of the TMC. Some TMC workers arrived at the venue the previous day and reached the spot around 4 am to secure a place at the front and hear their leaders speak.
(With inputs from PTI)
