Kolkata, March 26 Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accused the BJP government at the Centre on Thursday of conspiring against the country's genuine citizens by removing their names from the electoral rolls under the pretext of the SIR exercise.
While campaigning for TMC candidate Nirmal Chandra Roy at a rally in Dhupguri, a district in Jalpaiguri, he also accused the saffron party of indulging in politics based on religion and diverting people's attention from core issues of livelihood and housing.
"The BJP government at the Centre is conspiring against the genuine citizens of the country. Under the guise of SIR, those who have lived here for a hundred years are being forced to provide proof of their citizenship.
"Even elderly people are being asked to stand in queues for hours, just to have their names either removed (from the electoral rolls) or put under review," the TMC national general secretary alleged.
Banerjee, considered the number 2 in the TMC hierarchy, claimed that people belonging to indigenous communities are being asked to provide proof of their citizenship in BJP-ruled Assam.
"The BJP is doing whatever they want. But we will not allow them to commit such atrocities on the public. This country belongs to everyone. This is a battle to protect the soil of Bengal," he said.
At another meeting in Kalchini, Banerjee held Union Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for "failing to protect the lives of 26 tourists last year (at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir)."
He questioned why Shah or Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not resign over the tragedy, as terrorists from across the border came and sprayed bullets on civilians without being detected by security forces.
At the earlier meeting in Dhupguri, the Diamond Harbour MP accused the BJP of dictating people's dietary habits. "Who are they to decide what we will eat? Who are they to decide what we will wear?" Banerjee said, adding that instead of talking about core issues like livelihood and housing, the BJP was "creating divisions between different communities".
Claiming that the TMC always keeps its promises, he said, "From the 'Lakshmir Bhandar' initiative for women's empowerment to the 'Yuva Sathi' scheme and the 'Students Credit Card' for youths, we have ensured that every intended beneficiary receives their due."
"We work for those who support and vote for us, and those who don't. Let me ask the BJP functionaries what the BJP governments in 15 states have done for the masses. What have they done for women and youths?" he posed.
Referring to the 10 pledges made by the TMC in its manifesto, Banerjee said these include continuing the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, providing financial assistance to women, ensuring pucca houses for all under housing schemes, doorstep delivery of healthcare services, piped drinking water to every household, even if the Centre withholds funds, and old-age pension for all senior citizens.