PANAJI
In a state where politics ends up splitting even nuclear households into two, West Bengal Chief Minister and AITC supremo Mamata Banerjee likened the alliance between her party and the MGP as a joint family, urging voters to usher in the ruling BJP’s sunset in Indian politics from the country's smallest state, Goa.
Addressing a rally near Panaji “ the first joint public meeting organised by the All India Trinamool Congress and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party since the announcement of the alliance “ Banerjee raised the Konkani version of her election battle cry ‘Khel Zatlo’ (from Khela Hobe), while also slamming the BJP for its communal agenda and questioning her religious credentials by quoting passages from the Chandi path, a set of prayers dedicated to Chandi, an avatar of Goddess Durga.
She also urged voters in Goa to vote for the AITC-MGP alliance, which he said would provide a viable alternative to the BJP in Goa.
“Goa is India, do not think Goa is very small. Sunrise happens from Goa. When Goa smiles, India smiles. BJP's sunset will also begin from Goa, from UP, Punjab, throughout the country,” she said, adding that to usher in a “new dawn” in Goa, the people of the state would have to say no to the BJP.
“There is now an alternative in Goa in the form of MGP and AITC. Those (other parties) who want to come may come, But if they do not come, do not let the vote split. We will form a government. We want to preserve Goa's heritage, culture, language, sea, environment, mines (we will form a policy) to be safe. My commitment is my credential. We will not come to rule, but we will help you in planning and we will help you,” Banerjee said.
The West Bengal Chief Minister also said that the party would not impose any leadership from outside the state on the people of Goa, adding that Goa would be led by one of its own, once the party comes to power in the state.
“We also want the BJP to be finished in Goa. Everyone has to come together. Your (tell Dhavalikar) sister is here. I have not come to control you. I do not want outsiders to control Goa. I want insiders, who are of the people, by the people for the Goans. And (our) leader will be from you. The leader will not come from outside,” Banerjee said.
“We do not want Delhi dadagiri here. We do not want Centre's dadagiri. Those who come from Delhi want to rule here. If Goans do not rule, how will Goa function? Son of the soil must lead Goa,” she said.
Banerjee also said that the alliance’s manifesto would be prepared together by the MGP and the AITC in the spirit of a joint family working together.
“Before preparing a manifesto in Goa, I request Derek (O’Brien), Mahua (Moitra) and Abhishek (Banerjee), you should sit together and form a manifesto (with MGP). Do not do anything on your own. We are a joint family now. As a joint family, TMC and MGP have become a real alternative in Goa,” Banerjee said.
“I can assure you on behalf of my party and MGP. We are a joint family now. We will fight the battle together. We will sacrifice small interests for the better interests and we want to develop Goa and give it direction,” she said.
She also accused the BJP of trying to raise communal issues ahead of elections.
“Only during elections the Hindu, Muslim rhetoric is raised. Riots occur only during elections. But after elections, the dead bodies flow in the Ganga mother river. No one remembers that,” she said.
“BJP's task is to give certificates, whether I am a Hindu or Muslim or Sikh or Christian. Who are you? My father and mother gave me my name. I feel ashamed to say if someone asks me, if I am Hindu or Muslim or Brahmin or Kayastha or adivasi or tribal, I am a human being,” Banerjee added.
