Kolkata, July 21: Minister of Railways Mamata Banerjee, braving the rains, on Tuesday gave a call to oust the CPI(M) from government and laid down a road map on how to achieve this by the time the next Assembly elections are held in 2011.
AICC general secretary, Keshava Rao, was present though it had been announced earlier that he would not make it.
“The Trinamool has shown that the CPI(M) can be defeated. This was unbelievable some time back. We have proved that truth has prevailed,” she told a five-lakh-strong gathering in the heart of Kolkata to observe Martyrs Day of her party in which 13 people had died of police firing in 1992.
Time and again, she repeated that the party workers would have to be more restrained and not give in to provocations to call bandhs at a drop of a hat or resort to road obstructions. “Never fall foul of the people. From now on, before calling a bandh or any obstruction, please take permission. If I am in Parliament, please talk to senior leaders here,” she said.
Banerjee, who led a galaxy of stars and intellectuals on the dais, said that she would ensure jobs for all if voted to power. “Today’s rain is for change,” she began in dripping showers but when the sun peeked, she added, ” See, even the sun is smiling at us. Because we have protested against the rains. The sun has given in because we have proved a point. The CPI(M) will give in too,” she said. Banerjee said that 30 lakh people had braved the showers.
“What Bengal thinks today, India will think tomorrow,” she thundered. “Remember, the country is watching us. We cannot let the people down,” she said. “Arise, and throw this government out,” she said. Banerjee said the CPI(M) was continuing with its terror tactics and she had information that even on Tuesday, Trinamool members had been killed by CPI(M) goons. “How many more martyrs do you want, CPM?” she asked. “We are ready to sacrifice ourselves. But we will ensure that you will have to go,” she said.
Banerjee also said that she had a health and education plan ready for the state and that she would need to be in government to implement those. “Not everything can be done from my house,” she said. “Give me your time and I will give you good governance, she added. She also announced a series of programmes beginning with an anti-price rise agitation in the end of July.
–Agencies