West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a rally organized on the occasion of the foundation day of the TMC Students’ Wing. Addressing the large gathering, she accused the BJP of attempting to undermine the democratic rights of Bengali voters and erasing their historic role in the freedom movement.
BJP Accused of Voter List Manipulation
During her speech, Banerjee claimed that the BJP has brought a team of nearly 500 people to Bengal with the sole purpose of surveying and removing names from the state’s voter lists. She said that such moves are part of a systematic plan to weaken the political influence of Bengalis. However, she firmly asserted that as long as she is alive, no one would be allowed to snatch the voting rights of the people.
She urged citizens to personally check whether their names still exist in the official voter list. She also advised them to ensure they carry valid identification such as Aadhaar cards to safeguard their voting rights.
Strong Criticism of the Election Commission
Mamata Banerjee also directed sharp criticism towards the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the constitutional body of overstepping its authority. She alleged that the commission has been intimidating state officials under the pretext of ensuring fair elections. Banerjee pointed out that the commission only has jurisdiction during the three months of election season and not throughout the year. By issuing threats outside this timeframe, she claimed, the ECI was acting beyond its legal powers.
Battle Against “Linguistic Terrorism”
Another key issue highlighted in her speech was what she described as “linguistic terrorism.” Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to erase the significance of the Bengali language and culture. She stressed that Bengal’s contribution to India’s freedom movement cannot be ignored, pointing out that even the national anthem and the national song were originally composed in Bengali.
She accused the BJP of deliberately attempting to undermine this cultural identity and erase Bengali history from national consciousness. Her statement underlined her party’s commitment to protecting not just voting rights but also cultural and linguistic rights.
Reply to Corruption Allegations
Responding to allegations of corruption made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mamata Banerjee defended her government’s track record by highlighting welfare schemes such as the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme for women empowerment. She contrasted this with the BJP, accusing the ruling party at the center of running what she called a “Bhrashtachar Bhandar” (corruption warehouse).
According to her, while the Trinamool Congress has worked to empower women and uplift marginalized sections, the BJP has been focused on nepotism and looting the country’s resources under the guise of development.
Bengal’s Contribution to Freedom Movement
Banerjee reminded the audience that Bengal played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence. She accused the BJP of deliberately ignoring or downplaying this historic contribution. “If Bengali does not matter, then in which language were our national anthem and national song written?” she asked, reinforcing her argument that Bengal’s role cannot be sidelined.
She warned that any attempts to erase or distort the contributions of Bengalis would be met with strong resistance. For her, protecting cultural heritage is as important as protecting democratic rights.
Mamata Banerjee’s speech at the TMC Students’ Wing foundation day rally was marked by sharp criticism of the BJP, strong defense of Bengali identity, and reaffirmation of her commitment to protecting voter rights. She accused the BJP of attempting voter list manipulations, practicing linguistic terrorism, and running on corruption while claiming her government has empowered the marginalized through welfare programs.
Her fiery remarks once again reflect the high-stakes political battle in Bengal, where issues of identity, democracy, and development are intertwined with the broader national contest between the TMC and the BJP.
