Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday tended to make a conscious effort to disengage her persona from the large number of elected representatives “who are soiling the name of Trinamool Congress” by promoting corruption and Syndicate Raj even as she issued a one final warning to “all those who are in the extortion business” to “reform or face the axe.”
In what the critics saw a “readjustment of stance” in the wake of Trinamool Congress’ poor show in 67 municipalities where the party fared badly, despite its overwhelming performance in the rural areas, in the recently-concluded Assembly elections Mamata told a workshop of Municipal Councillors to “stop extorting money from people or face action.”
Though the Trinamool Congress won 211 out of 294 seats in the elections, it trailed the Opposition left and Congress in 67 out of 112 municipal areas, a fact indicating the ruling outfit’s diminishing popularity in the urban and semi-urban belts reportedly on account of rising complaints of corruption against the party men, particularly leaders.
It was perhaps due to this fear of losing base in the urban belt, that Mamata ordered the arrest of a Councillor of Rajarhat-Salt lake Corporation, who was still behind bars. About a 100 people have been arrested ever since she came to power for the second time.
She said, “I have been getting plenty of information on how the Councillors are engaging in the extortion business and Syndicate Raj. It seems that our Councillors have taught the people the art of extortion.”
Saying that she had reports on how “some Councillors are taking Rs 30-40 lakh as bribe for small work,” she said it was for them to choose between a long-term and a short-term career.
“You have to decide whether you want a long-term or a short-term career because if you stop serving people and engage in corruption then I will clip your wings and your career will be shortened. This is my last warning to you all. I am not taking any names,” Mamata said even as the Opposition promptly reminded her of taking action against some senior leaders of her coterie engaged in multi-crore scams.
“We welcome her stance but she has to explain her double standards against her own party men. She must explain why she is catching the lower-rung leaders and leaving the MPs, MlAs and Ministers, who are involved in multi-crore scams,” said CPI(M)’s Sujan Chakrbaraty.
Congress’ OP Mishra said her good intent would be understood if she took action against those accused in the chit fund and other scams.