Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asked Trinamul Congress leaders and workers to work hard in order to ensure that opposition parties didn’t get a single seat in Purulia district in the next panchayat polls.

The stiff target, a source close to the Trinamul chairperson said, was her attempt to drill in a sense of purpose among district party leaders in the run up to the rural polls slated for next summer.

The remote western district has been a bother for the ruling party in Bengal as its performance has been poor since the 2018 panchayat polls.

“I am asking Trinamul workers to come out of your houses and hit the streets. You got defeated earlier (in the last few elections)…. But you have done better in civic polls. You visit villages riding bicycles and help the common people on their doorsteps. You have to work for the people so hard that the BJP, the CPM or the Congress don’t get a single seat here,” said Mamata while addressing over 60,000 people near Simulia village, adjacent to Purulia town.

Trinamul insiders said Mamata actually sent out a message to party workers to start preparations for the panchayat polls from right now. From her public meeting in Jhargram earlier this month, she had hinted that she could announce the rural polls early next year.

“I am always with you as a guard. I will be there for you to fight against the BJP. I have the power to fight them,” the chief minister said.

Trinamul leaders said Mamata’s attempt to bring the workers back on the streets was the need of the hour as a large number of activists had become inactive in the district after back-to-back defeats in the elections.

Trinamul had been on the backfoot since the BJP secured majorities in over 55 gram panchayats out of 170 in the district and captured two panchayat samities.

On Tuesday, Mamata tried her best to woo the women present at the public meeting in her own style.

“Are you still angry with Trinamul? I am asking my mothers and sisters here (to reply). Are you not getting the benefit of Lakshmir Bhandar? Are you not getting Kanyashree or widow pensions?” Mamata said requesting them to visit Duare Sarkar camps if they were left out of any such government benefit schemes.

Mamata also set the line of campaign for party leaders in the panchayat polls and spoke on how the Centre’s much talked about free domestic LPG scheme — Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna — had allegedly been a hoax for poor people. She also explained that the Centre was not releasing funds under the 100-day rural job scheme.

“Are you getting your free cylinders more? When the vote comes, BJP offers Ujjwala. Now, it is better to use clay-oven as you can’t buy a cylinder…,” she said.

“BJP MPs and MLAs disappeared after taking your votes. Ask them to give funds under the 100-day job scheme and if they fail, ask them to leave…,” the Trinamul chairperson added.

Purulia district BJP president Vivek Ranga said Trinamul would have to face losses if the panchayat polls were conducted in a free and fair manner.

“The Trinamul leaders can’t secure all seats in coming polls in Purulia. It is only possible if the chief minister asks her party colleagues to adopt violent ways to loot votes,” said Ranga.