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regular-article-logo Wednesday, 01 May 2024

'Didir Shopoth' unveiled, TMC promises to bin CAA in 10-point manifesto

With barely two days remaining before the first phase of the polling in Bengal, the chief minister’s party released the 104-page document in the absence of her and Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee

Meghdeep Bhattacharyya Calcutta Published 18.04.24, 12:39 PM
(From left) Amit Mitra, Derek O’Brien and Chandrima Bhattacharya unveil Trinamool’s election manifesto in Calcutta on Wednesday.

(From left) Amit Mitra, Derek O’Brien and Chandrima Bhattacharya unveil Trinamool’s election manifesto in Calcutta on Wednesday. PTI picture

Mamata Banerjee’s party on Wednesday released its manifesto with a 10-point Didir Shopoth (Didi’s Pledges) that promised what the Trinamool Congress would do for the nation — as an INDIA constituent — should the anti-BJP bloc ascend to power in the general election.

With barely two days remaining before the first phase of the polling in Bengal, the chief minister’s party released the 104-page document in the absence of her and Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.

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“As soon as we form the Union government as part of INDIA, we will ensure all our commitments are fulfilled. That is the fundamental bedrock of this manifesto,” said former Bengal finance minister Amit Mitra, now the principal adviser (finance) to Mamata, releasing the document alongside current finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya and Trinamool’s leader in the Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien.

The renewed emphasis from Trinamool on the alliance is significant. Dismayed with INDIA partner Congress’s inordinate delay in sealing the seat-sharing deal with Trinamool in Bengal and the Left’s resistance to any understanding with her, Mamata had pulled the plug on the bloc in the state and decided to contest alone here.

In a written appeal at the beginning of the manifesto, Mamata said: “The power to defeat the divisive and destructive forces that threaten our beloved nation and the great state of Bengal, lies with the people.” “If we (INDIA) are voted to power at the Centre, we will fulfil each shopoth made to you. We will continue to uphold India’s rich diversity by ensuring all religious groups... Scheduled Castes... Scheduled Tribes... Other Backward Classes, general category, marginalised and linguistic communities coexist harmoniously across the nation,” she added.

“Together, we will overcome every challenge. Together, we will fulfil each resolve we have made. This is what we are committed to do when TMC, as part of INDIA, forms the Union government.”

Addressing a campaign rally at Silchar in Assam, in the middle of a diatribe against the saffron regime, Mamata said they were inexcusable and she would never forgive them.

“Now, for once, close the ranks on them. The alliance means Trinamool. We will show INDIA the way. We are fighting the BJP alone in Bengal,” she said.

“There, the Congress and the CPM are supporting the BJP. But nationally, we will lead the INDIA bloc. If we get your support, we will do our very best to do all that you need us to,” added Mamata, whose party is contesting four of Assam’s 14 seats — there too, outside INDIA.

In her address, she stressed her intent to have the contentious citizenship matrix binned if INDIA formed the government at the Centre. This was also the key promise in her party’s manifesto, that the amended citizenship law would be abolished, and the National Register of Citizens exercise would be stopped, as would the uniform civil code endeavour.

The other promises in the manifesto are mostly in the realm of social security and women’s empowerment, which have been the foremost focal areas for Mamata’s governance in Bengal.

Some of these promises are: all MGNREGA job cardholders will get 100 days of guaranteed work and a fixed minimum wage of Rs 400; everyone in India will have a roof over their heads; every below-poverty line family will get 10 free LPG cylinders a year; all ration cardholders will get 5kilos of free rations, delivered on their doorstep; financial aid schemes for women along the lines of Kanyashree and Lakshmir Bhandar; an advanced form of Swasthya Sathi with healthcare insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh.

Besides, Trinamool promised financial security to the farmers according to the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, and guarding against price fluctuations of petrol, diesel, and LPG, through a dedicated price stabilisation fund.

In her written appeal in the manifesto, Mamata highlighted her role in ensuring a turnaround for Bengal after ascending to power in 2011 and tore into the Narendra Modi government for “maliciously conspiring” against the state through allegedly deceptive promises, deliberate deprivation and a disrespectful attitude displayed towards its cultural heritage.

“The magnitude of their tyranny can be seen across the country. In the last 10 years, they have been relentlessly undermining the tenets of federalism, pluralism, liberty and democracy, enshrined in the Constitution,” wrote Mamata.

“Misusing Union agencies, they have tried to constantly suppress opposition voices and target any one who questions their anti-people policies. Youth, women, farmers — each and every section of the society has suffered due to their misgovernance. While on the other hand, India’s global position in key indices have drastically deteriorated,” she added.

“At this crucial juncture, as we stand on the threshold of change, I solemnly resolve to ensure welfare continues to reach all. I recommit myself to stopping the malicious forces working against the interests of Bengal and the nation.”

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