- HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, Kolkata | Updated: Aug 26, 2016 16:44 IST
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calls for fresh agitation against Narendra Modi government at the centre. (Ashok Nath Dey/HT Photo)
The Bengal chief minister also vowed to foil the strike called on September 2, by Left affiliated trade unions, highlighting that state government would pay compensation to those whose property will be damaged on that day.
“40% of the people of Bengal have no Aadhaar cards. But now centre is making it mandatory to have Aadhaar cards everything, from stipends to students to pension to senior citizens. Scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, the needy are suffering as money or grants to them in various schemes would stop,” said Mamata Banerjee speaking at the foundation day rally of Trinamool Congress Chattra Parishad (party’s student wing) in Kolkata.
“We give three months time to the centre to stop poking its nose in our business. After that we will hit the streets. Students, workers, SC ST OBCs will hit the streets in protest. We will take the protest to Delhi. Even the Supreme Court has stated that Aadhaar card is not mandatory” said Mamata Banerjee.
The Bengal chief minister lambasted the centre over issues of Aadhaar card, turning off the tap of central support in many of welfare schemes. She said that it was centre’s responsibility to ensure that people in Bengal get Aadhaar card, in which it failed.
“Why is Narendra Modi trying to deprive Bengal and save money? Is it because he wants to buy another new suit and set another Guinness record,” said The Bengal chief minister taking a dig at the Prime ministers suit with his name imprinted.
Mamata Banerjee also targeted CPIM and Congress and vowed to foil the upcoming nationwide general strike called by seventeen parties led by Left trade unions on September 2.
“We will not allow a bandh in Bengal. Why will there be a waste of Crores of rupees? CPIM and Congress are brothers and they both are trying to paralyse the state during the bandh day. But we will not tolerate that. Businessmen whose property will be targeted will be compensated by the government and police action against bandh supporters,” said Mamata Banerjee.
The chief minister also took a dig at CPIM and Congress leaders stating that they now only exit in television studious.
Mamata Banerjee also lamented the fact that opposition leaders and slowing development initiatives by approaching courts at the drop of a hat.
“The process of recruitment of 65,000 teaching posts in the state is ready. But we are helpless if they (opposition) go to court at the drop of a hat. We are awaiting courts verdict,” said the chief minister.