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.
While campaigning for TMC candidate Nirmal Chandra Roy at a rally in Dhupguri, Jalpaiguri district, he also accused the saffron party of engaging 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 deleted (from the electoral rolls) or put under review," the TMC national general secretary alleged.
Banerjee 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," he asserted.
Accusing the BJP of dictating people's dietary habits, he said, "Who are they to decide what we will eat? Who are they to decide what we will wear?"
Banerjee, who holds the de facto number two position in the TMC hierarchy, said that instead of focusing on core issues like livelihood and housing, the BJP is "creating divisions within communities".
Claiming that the TMC always keeps its promises, the TMC's Member of Parliament from Diamond Harbour, said, "From the 'Lakshmir Bhandar' initiative for women's empowerment to 'Yuva Sathi' and the 'Students Credit Card' for youths, we have ensured that every intended beneficiary receives what is due to them."
"We work for those who support and vote for us, and also for those who don't. I ask the BJP functionaries, what did the BJP governments in 15 states do for the masses? What did they do for women and youths?" he posed.
Referring to the 10 pledges made by the TMC in its manifesto, Banerjee said that 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.