Kolkata, 06 April (H.S.): Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and the CPI(M), alleging that both parties were functioning as the “B teams” of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Addressing a public meeting at Jalangi in Murshidabad district in support of Trinamool Congress candidate Babar Ali, Banerjee said the party’s nominee represents a clean image and a dedicated approach towards public service.

Appealing to voters, he claimed that the CPI(M) has now become a party of the past and that voting for the Congress would indirectly strengthen the BJP. He urged people to vote for the All India Trinamool Congress for the sake of development.

Banerjee also targeted opposition candidates Mustafizur Rahman and Yunus Ali Sarkar. He alleged that CPI(M) candidate Rahman does not enjoy full support within his own party and recalled that he had lost the 2021 Assembly election by nearly 48,000 votes. He urged voters not to “waste their votes” and instead support the Trinamool candidate.

Highlighting Babar Ali’s background, Banerjee said he was born in 1993 and began his social work by teaching children. He also mentioned that Ali established free schools and worked to promote education in Murshidabad and other parts of the state.

Challenging the CPI(M), Banerjee asked the party to present data on development work carried out in Domkal and Jalangi during its 34-year rule, including the number of roads constructed, villages electrified and drinking water facilities provided. He contrasted this with what he described as 15 years of development under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and termed the record of the Left and Congress as failures. He said if the opposition could provide satisfactory figures, he would stop seeking votes.

Targeting the BJP-led central government, he also referred to the alleged withholding of funds under the rural employment guarantee scheme and housing projects, saying the time had come to give a fitting reply to those responsible. He further claimed that the rights of common people were being ignored by the Centre and that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was fighting for the state’s rights in the Supreme Court.

He also addressed concerns over deletion of names from the electoral rolls. Banerjee assured affected voters that they should not panic and should contact Trinamool representatives, who would help them file appeals following the special revision process.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh