Farmers Movement Archive

Mamata on wheelchair knocks on voters’ doors

Nandigram: Back in Nandigram after her March 10 injury, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday reached out to voters on a wheelchair, saying in a loudhailer, “No more via media. I will now look after you directly. I have decided to contest here as Nandigram is close to my heart. Please cast your vote early, peacefully. Don’t get intimidated.” The CM moved on a wheelchair along the meandering narrow concrete lane in Guriayapara, Gopalpur, Manoharpur to Khodambari, much to the excitement of locals as her security detail scurried to give her cover. Initially surprised to see the CM at their doorsteps, local women left their home chores to step out and greet her. Some came running to her with their problems. Sabita Kar, a homemaker of Gopalpur village, not only captured the CM arriving in their village on her cellphone, she was also happy for being able to tell her about the village problems. Banerjee smiled back and assured her that she will set up an office in Nandigram to look after all their issues. The day before, speaking at a public rally in Birulia Bazar, the CM said, “I have decided to contest from Nandigram as my respect for your struggle. Farmers are waging another struggle in the Singhu border. After you vote for me in Nandigram, I will go there (Singhu) to stand by the protesting farmers,” she said. “A Didimoni (teacher) has let me stay here for a year. I intend to build a small home for myself here. Even when I am not there, this home will serve as a memory of Nandigram-er agnikonya (Nandigram’s firebrand daughter). Nandigram will also have a CMO where people can come with their requests. I will stay here till the votes are over and will fly out to Siliguri on April 1 night,” she said. Addressing multiple public rallies on Sunday and Monday, the CM also reacted to Union home minister Amit Shah’s 26-out-of-30 claims, saying, “Why did you leave the remaining four (seats)? For CPM and Congress? Were you lurking in the EVMs to see who voted whom?” Banerjee also urged central forces not to raise hands on voters queuing up in polling booths. “We know under whose instructions these are being done. This isn’t your job.” “There are certain things which do not befit a Union home minister. When people in high office say something, it may be wrongly construed as information. Why is he confusing people? They know they have lost the match. Such things are being said to enthuse party workers,” the CM said. “It appears Bengal is now under 356 (President’s rule) and he is running everything,” she added. “Golla khabeh (They will get a big zero). I do not make such claims. But all I know is that people who had not voted for us in the Lok Sabha polls, have supported us this time,” the CM said.

The Times of India

2021-03-30

Kolkata