Nandigram rally: From her turf, Mamata Banerjee warns, dares EC, police

Villagers way to attain Mamata Banerjee’s Meeting at Nandigram , East Midnapur in West Bengal. Express photo by Partha Paul

As Mamata’s helicopter touched down on the makeshift helipad, boys climbed trees, people sat on roofs of neighbouring buildings, and villagers broke into sprints to catch a glimpse of their leader. She broke into a broad smile. This is undisputed territory for the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with not one red or tricolor flag along the road to the venue. “We will make sure that we give Didi 16 out of 16 seats this time,” said sitting MLA and TMC candidate from Nandigram, Subhendu Adhikary, as he welcomed her.

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“I have been working for elections since 1977 when I was a student, fought my first election in 1984. Never in all these years have I seen anything like this — such a long-drawn election. Next time you’ll hear that they want to conduct an election for every Assembly constituency separately. Let them, if it makes them happy… if they want to conduct 294 elections in 366 days,’’ she said. East Medinipur (in which Nandigram falls) and Cooch Behar districts will vote in the last phase of Assembly elections in Bengal on May 5.

Referring to police transfers ahead of the elections, Mamata said that in no other state had such action been taken. As many as 60 police officers across Bengal, including the Kolkata Police Commissioner, had been transferred.

Mamata’s Nandigram speech was not only predictably an attack on the Opposition, (the BJP, Left and Congress) but in a heated delivery, she attacked the Election Commission and the police forces as well. “I haven’t been able to sleep for the past three nights because of the disturbances of the police in my area. Day before yesterday, at night, they used loudspeakers to go around the colony to say that everyone should stay indoors and not venture out… that no one should be found in party offices. They shut down clubs and offices in my constituency. The elections are supposed to be a celebration of democracy. Instead they imposed a curfew,’’ she said.

Villagers way to attain Mamata Banerjee’s Meeting at Nandigram , East Midnapur in West Bengal. Express photo by Partha Paul

Taking a dig at the new Kolkata police commissioner, Mamata said, “Some people think that even though they have come to power just 15 days ago, they deserve to wear a crown,’’ she said. Accusing “all the opposition parties” of being hand in glove with each other, she said that the parties had been using the state machinery to their advantage.

“The Congress complains about an officer and he gets transferred. CPM says put CCTVs in (TMC leader) Madan Mitra’s constituency and the police runs to put it up. They must realise that I am still the chief minister of a democratically-elected government. I would have complained about the Election Commission earlier but I felt that I have already got my majority in these elections (with the completion of the previous phases). I would like to tell everyone not to be afraid of the paramilitary forces. They are here only temporarily. We are the ones who are coming back. And I forget nothing. I will remember who has done what, and when I come back, I will give an appropriate answer to each one of them,’’ she said.

As the crowd erupted in cheers, she continued. “Don’t forget Singur. Don’t forget Nandigram. You know that we have the courage to stand up to the police — we have done it before.’’

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