Kolkata, 02 March (H.S.) : The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday announced a 60-day mass outreach programme targeting voters in 84 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe-majority assembly constituencies across West Bengal. TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee told party workers that the initiative, named the “Tapashilir Sanglap” campaign, will begin on March 5 after the Holi festival, ahead of the assembly elections. The programme aims to connect with constituents at the grassroots level while highlighting the state government’s welfare schemes and exposing what the party described as the BJP’s alleged discriminatory policies against SC and ST communities.

Banerjee said teams of three to five members will travel in specialised vehicles to villages and polling booths in the targeted constituencies to engage directly with people. “There is no room for complacency. We must fight with full strength in the last two months. The responsibility of these 84 assembly seats lies on your shoulders,” he said.

The TMC leader launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging repeated disrespect towards marginalised communities. Referring to the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya, he claimed that members of the Matua community were prevented from entering the temple premises despite carrying holy water. He also alleged that the BJP intends to amend the Constitution to abolish reservations for SCs and STs.

Banerjee accused the Central government of imposing a financial blockade on West Bengal and challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prove that funds for rural employment schemes had been released in the state over the past five years. He alleged that while the Centre collected around ₹7 lakh crore in taxes from the state, Bengal’s dues were diverted to other states such as Bihar and Gujarat. He claimed that under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state government had provided housing to 32 lakh beneficiaries using its own resources despite the alleged stoppage of central assistance.

Addressing remarks by BJP leaders on the food habits of Bengalis, Banerjee said the people of the state would not allow “landlords from Delhi” to dictate what they eat or how they live. He also took a dig at the BJP’s “Rath Yatra” and urged TMC workers to respond in their own way. “When their Rath passes through your area, greet them with Bengal’s hospitality. Offer them fish and meat,” he said, adding that sweets should be offered to remind the BJP of its alleged “anti-Bengal” stance.

Banerjee urged party workers to ensure that the BJP’s seat count in the state is reduced to zero and to secure a fourth consecutive term for the TMC government with over 250 seats. “In the next two months, except for the time to eat and bathe, you must give your full effort to Bengal, the party, and the state,” he said.

The 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections are likely to be held in April.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh