Onda: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that if the BJP is voted to power in West Bengal, it will end TMC’s ‘syndicate raj’, and said those involved in atrocities against women of the state would be brought to justice. Addressing a BJP rally at Onda in Bankura district, Shah assured potato farmers that their produce will be sent across the country so that they get remunerative prices.
“We will end the ‘syndicate raj’ of the TMC government after winning the Bengal assembly elections. The time has come to say ‘tata bye bye to Hirak Rani’,” he said.
Shah alleged that one has to “pay cut money to the ruling party or go through syndicates for everything in the state, from buying cement to sand”.
He claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked women not to venture out at night, while a girl in BJP-ruled Assam can move out wearing gold ornaments at even 1 am without fear.
“A BJP government will ensure round-the-clock security for women in Bengal,” he said. Maintaining that the rape-murder of an on-duty doctor in state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital brought shame to Bengal, he claimed that women in the state’s Sandeshkhali suffered atrocities for years at the hands of TMC goons.
“All those involved in atrocities against women during Mamata Banerjee’s rule will be brought to justice,” Shah asserted. He also assured “potato farmers of Bengal that their produce will be sent across India, so that they get remunerative prices”.
The West Bengal government had earlier imposed restrictions on selling potatoes to other states. Now, the farmers alleged that they are facing a crisis of a price crash due to a bumper crop this year. The Union Home Minister also stated that infiltrators will be thrown out once the BJP comes to power in Bengal.
“India is not a ‘dharamshala’ (free guest house), and infiltrators who pose a threat to the country will be thrown out,” Shah said.
Stating that more than 300 BJP workers were killed in Bengal in political violence, Shah assured that everyone responsible for these will be brought to book after a saffron party government is formed in the state.
“We will ensure that no TMC goon engages in mischief during the assembly polls,” he said. Elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases – on April 23 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
Shah alleged that Banerjee is running a syndicate in the state to serve the interests of her nephew and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.
Shah said, “In the panchayat elections, hundreds of our activists were attacked. Many people lost their lives. Many became handicapped. Many have not returned home yet. Mamata Banerjee, do you think that the BJP will be scared of your attack? We have the strength to bear it.”
“But today, I say to the people of Mathurapur: bring back Lotus’ government, we will hang Mamata Banerjee’s goons upside down and straighten them out. We will choose each and every one of them and throw them behind bars,” he said.
He added, “We will completely dismantle Mamata’s syndicate across the entirety of Bengal. This syndicate has become an instrument of governance for Mamata and her nephew, one that serves only to suck the very lifeblood out of the people of Bengal. Once you oust Mamata and establish a BJP government, we will take it upon ourselves to set this syndicate straight, even if it means hanging them upside down to do so. For 15 years, Bankura has been neglected; the time has come to settle the score.”
He accused the Chief Minister of not selling the potato to neighbouring states of Jharkhand and Odisha out of arrogance. Shah also raised the pitch regarding Bengal’s potatoes.
He stated, “People in other states want to consume Bengal’s potatoes, yet the arrogant Mamata refuses to send them. Farmers are being forced to sell potatoes worth Rs 20 for a Rs 2. The very evening the BJP forms the government, we will resolve all the problems faced by Bengal’s potato farmers. We have sent crores of rupees from the Centre for various developmental projects, yet you have not received any of it.”
“Mamata’s syndicate has devoured all the funds. They seem to think that, despite engaging in corruption, they will face no consequences. I warn you—listen loud and clear: every single penny belonging to the poor must be returned,” he said.
On the other hand, taking a jibe at Mamata, Shah added, “Mamata is a master at playing the victim card. Sometimes she bandages her foot, sometimes her head. This time, bandage yourself wherever you please; the people of Bengal still will not vote for you.”
Speaking on the UCC, Union Home Minister stated, “Can you accept that some people keep four wives? We will implement the UCC to introduce a single law for everyone—Hindus and Muslims alike—so that no one can enter into four marriages.”
