Trinamool gears up for a fresh Delhi-campaign against the Centre

The Trinamool Congress is taking up a second Delhi-campaign for persuading the Centre to release funds meant for public welfare projects to West Bengal.

Trinamool Chief Mamata Banerjee, on Thursday, reminding her party’s supporters that it’s time for a rajnetik badla, a “political revenge” from opponents – CPI(M), BJP, asked party supporters to be mentally prepared for the proposed programme.

In December, second or third week, when Parliament’s winter session will also be on, a Delhi visit is planned. Banerjee was addressing a huge gathering of party-supporters in Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium.

“With all (our) MPs, I will seek time from the Prime Minister. If he avails us time, fine. If he doesn’t then the road (a street demonstration) will show us the way,” Banerjee said. “Otherwise as well, Delhi will be taken over in three months,” she added.

In October this year, the party representatives had camped in Delhi for two days, on day-1 at Raj Ghat, and at Jantar Mantar on the following day. On return, party MP Abhishek Banerjee had termed the Delhi-campaign a “trailer”, promising a “cinema” projection in two months time in the capital.

The proposed Delhi-plan is preceded by two other activities, that Trinamool chief shared with the supporters. The party MLAs, who have been asked to be present in the upcoming state assembly session, will also compulsorily sit on a dharna in the precincts of the assembly during November 28-30, between 3pm and 9pm, after the assembly’s activities conclude for the day. The protest concerns demand for release of funds for 100-day jobs, housing, and roads.

A second activity for party units is to hold booth-level programmes during December 2-3. The Trinamool’s intent, she reminded, is to fight for every “inch” against the BJP, and the CPI(M).

Banerjee, while talking about some of her party’s leaders who have stood by her for long years, said that she doesn’t believe that they are corrupt. Talking about MP Mahua Moitra, she said that “their” (the BJP’s) plan is to drive her away (from Parliament). This will make her popular for the next three months, and what she speaks within the House, she will say outside, through regular press interactions, Banerjee said. She termed the assumed action against Moitra unwise.

Talking of party’s leaders who are in jail, Banerjee cautioned that action may be initiated against the Opposition representatives who are facing grave charges.

Banerjee claimed that the Indian cricket team would have won, had it played in Kolkata, or in Mumbai. She reiterated her allegation that cricketers were, initially, asked to take up saffron-colour jerseys.