Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in a program organized on Red Road on Wednesday to mark Constitution Day. The Chief Minister garlanded the statue of Constitution maker Babasaheb Ambedkar. She then spoke out against the ruling party at the center. She said, “We will not follow the BJP’s guidelines; we will follow the Constitution and the guidance provided by Babasaheb Ambedkar.”
The Chief Minister read the Preamble of the Constitution at the program. She said, “India is a secular, democratic, and sovereign country. But today, democracy and secularism are under threat. Even after so many years of independence, the people of the country are having to prove anew whether they are citizens of this country or not.” She described this situation as very shameful and insulting for the country. Recalling Bengal’s contributions, she said, “Dr. BR Ambedkar, the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, was elected from undivided Bengal. Bengalis contributed 90 percent to India’s freedom struggle. 99 percent of those hanged were Bengalis. Yet today, attempts are being made to insult that Bengal.”
The Chief Minister criticized the Election Commission’s role in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of the voter list. She alleged, “BLOs are dying across the country due to the Commission’s unnecessary pressure. From Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh to Bengal—BLOs are losing their lives due to workload. They have been ordered to complete three years’ work in two months, which is inhuman.”
Mamata Banerjee said, “It’s the farming season now, and people in villages are not at home. If we rush into such a process, we risk missing out on many genuine voters.” She also criticized the Trinamool Congress delegation for being made to wait for hours while meeting with Commission officials, calling it “arrogance.” Mamata Banerjee also accused central agencies of misuse. She claimed that media owners were unable to report the truth due to fear of the ED, CBI, and Income Tax. She claimed that more than 400 notices had been sent to the Trinamool Congress. She said, “No matter how many notices we receive, we will fight.” Referring to the Bihar elections, she said, “Promises before the vote and loot after the vote—this has now become the BJP’s model.”
Warning the central government, the West Bengal Chief Minister said, “Those who think they will remain in power for life are mistaken. You cannot remain in power for long by snatching away people’s rights.” She appealed that everyone, regardless of caste, religion, or sect, should unite against this dictatorial attitude and protect the country’s democracy. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on social media on the occasion of Constitution Day. The Chief Minister wrote, “On this day, I pay my deepest respect to our great Constitution and its architects, especially Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Our Constitution is the backbone of the nation, skillfully weaving together the vast diversity of our culture, language, and community.”
After paying tribute, she took aim at the central government. Mamata Banerjee wrote, “When democracy is under threat, secularism is in crisis, and the federal structure is being bulldozed, the path shown by our Constitution must be protected.” She asked the countrymen to pledge to protect the sacred principles of the Constitution.
