Under pressure from CBI in the Saradha chit fund case Mamata Banerjee has once again taken the warpath against the BJP-led Centre which she accused of using the agency against the Trinamool Congress “to capture power in Bengal”.
Banerjee has called for a series of protest movements — including rallies, processions and dharnas — against what her party calls “Ordinance Raj” unleashed by the Centre and the saffron outfit’s attempts at communalising Bengal.
The decision is aimed at toning up the party’s sagging morale and disintegrating organisational strength in the wake of a host of senior leaders including Ministers and MPs going to jail in the case, insiders say.
“The Trinamool Congress has decided to launch continuous movements against the Centre’s attempt to circumvent Parliament and sell out the country by introducing anti-people Ordinances on coal, insurance, pension, defence etc,” party general secretary Partho Chatterjee said, adding the Trinamool workers will hit the streets on February 7, 8, 14 and 15.
launching a scathing attack on the Centre Chatterjee said, “The BJP is trying to ruin the basic democratic fabric of the country by hitting at parliamentary system. It is doing so by bringing in Ordinances as it knows that all its anti-people Bills will fall flat in the Rajya Sabha. We will give a befitting reply to the Central Government’s anti-people schemes by mobilising the people. We hope that those who want to preserve the country’s democratic fabric will join us in the protests.”
Chatterjee also attacked the saffron outfit for its alleged attempt to communalise Bengal. “Bengal has a history of communal harmony. We will not let that be broken. The BJP and its associated organisations are trying to break the State along communal lines which will be taken care of adequately by the Government and out party,” Chatterjee said.
Incidentally areas of South 24 Parganas had a few days ago seen communal clashes between two groups which was alleged fallout of instigations from some Trinamool leaders. The State Minority Development Minister was reportedly present at the spot when the incident took place, sources alleged though the Minister himself denied the allegations.
“The BJP taking steps to forcibly convert the people of various communities which is not acceptable to us and we will resist this communalisation of politics tooth and nail,” Chatterjee said.
The decision to hit the streets comes against the threat of a vertical split looming large following reports that party number two Mukul Roy had revealed all to the CBI linking the State’s first family with the multi-crore ponzi deals, insiders said.
Meanwhile Roy on Monday against left for Delhi reportedly to take part in the Parliamentary standing committee meeting. Before leaving for the Capital he met the Chief Minister for about an hour, sources said. There were reports that distance was widening between Banerjee and Roy particularly after his grilling by the CBI.