Didi: Central teams to Bengal, why not for UP 

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (PTI file photo)


Why a central team wasn’t assigned to probe the death of a mother-daughter duo during an eviction drive in BJP-governed Uttar Pradesh, may I know, asked chief minister Mamata Banerjee here while addressing a public meeting while extending facilities and services to 1.65 lakh people in the district today.

Banerjee said, “We provide shelter for the poor in our state but they ‘kill’ them ruthlessly. We offer deeds of rights to the poor in Bengal for their safety and we don’t uproot them like this.”

At Kanpur’s Dehat district, a mother-daughter allegedly died due to self-immolation during an eviction drive only on last 13 February. The chief minister claimed today that the drive in Kanpur was being conducted purposely to evict the ‘poor’ people. She said, “Despite the shocking deaths, no probe was instituted there. The UP chief minister, Yogi Adityanath meanwhile has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of the motherdaughter on Wednesday, incidentally.

The Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and her party have consistently been vocal about central teams making ‘beeline’ to Bengal frequently on multiple issues from time to time since four years. The teams sent to inquire about alleged irregularities in MGNREGA and in midday meal distribution in West Bengal have earned large scale criticism, however.

In Bankura, the chief minister inaugurated projects worth Rs 400 crore, which include developmental projects for the Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Cast, including the underprivileged communities, like the OBC and the tribal community. Banerjee ridiculed the BJP-led Centre on OBC issue, saying, “The BJP government has stopped scholarships for the OBC’s and the minorities. For this very reason, our government has initiated a Medhashree Scholarship for our students, who will get Rs 800 monthly assistance.”

While criticising BJP’s role in Bengal, Banerjee said, “BJP leaders in Delhi have stopped clearing our dues, which is our own right. People of Bengal are not beggars. We want our rightful money with dignity. Bankura had elected MLA and MP, now, people want to know what they have done for Bankura, so far?”