‘Divisive forces’ polarising state: Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday directed her party leaders to be on high alert as ‘divisive forces’ were trying desperately to make inroads in the state by its politics of polarisation.

Ms Banerjee chaired the core committee meeting at her Kalighat residence this afternoon.

Though the Trinamul supremo did not name any organisation but there are no prizes to guess that her directions came in the wake of RSS trying to expand its base in Bengal.

“We have been asked to concentrate on improving mass contact and propagate the development works of the state government. We have been advised to hold more programmes in the district and highlight the threat of communalism, “a senior TMC leader said after the meeting. Ms Banerjee also directed party leader Nirbed Roy to prepare a booklet with a strategy to counter “communal politics” of the BJP.

When questioned about 40 BJP central leaders coming to the state for campaigning, TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said, “I do not know whether 40 people or 400 people are coming here. But we are confident that the people of the state bestow full faith on Mamata Banerjee.”

Mr Chatterjee termed the centre’s decision to slash interest rates in small savings scheme as ‘anti people’ and demanded its immediate withdrawal.” They have been so much vocal against chit funds but they are bringing down interest rates in small savings causing tremendous inconvenience particularly to the elderly people,” he said.

The chief minister has also directed her party MPs to be vocal about renaming the state West Bengal as ‘Bangla’. The Centre has recently written to the state about their objections in changing the name to ‘Bangla.”Ms Banerjee also reprimanded her party MP Idris Ali who has been seen shaking hands with BJP and Congress leaders at the Parliament.

“You don’t have to shake hands with others, it is the TMC who will stand by you during trouble,” Ms Banerjee had told Mr Ali.