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 deleting their names from the electoral rolls under the pretext of the SIR exercise.
He was canvassing for TMC candidate Nirmal Chandra Roy at a rally in Dhupguri, a district in Jalpaiguri, and also charged the saffron party with 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. In the name 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 deleted (from the electoral rolls) or put under review," the TMC's national general secretary alleged.
Banerjee, considered No. 2 in the TMC hierarchy, claimed that people from 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 battle is 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 (in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir)."
He asked 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 "pitting one community against another".
Claiming that the TMC delivers on its promises, he highlighted initiatives such as the women's empowerment scheme 'Lakshmir Bhandar', 'Yuva Sathi' for youths, and the 'Students Credit Card'.
"Let me ask BJP functionaries what their governments in 15 states did for the people. What did they do for women and youths?" he said.
Referring to the 10 pledges made by the TMC in its manifesto, Banerjee said they include continuing Lakshmir Bhandar, providing financial assistance to women, ensuring pucca houses for beneficiaries, doorstep healthcare services, piped drinking water to every household, and old-age pensions for senior citizens.
He also cited housing for tea garden workers under the Chaa Sundari scheme since the Mamata Banerjee government came to power in 2011.
"The BJP talks of Ayushman Bharat. But if you have a smartphone, you cannot get Modi's Ayushman Bharat. If you have a pucca house, a motorcycle, or a TV, you won't get it. But Didi's (Mamata Banerjee) Swasthya Sathi is given to everyone, regardless of these conditions. And if I am lying, then file a case against me, the truth will be proven in court," he said.