There was no mincing of words as the state unit of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) welcomed its national general secretary to Shillong today, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress Party and National People’s Party (NPP) attacked over one issue or another.
The day began with full page advertisements in most local newspapers that dubbed the NPP proxies for the BJP.
That remained a theme of Abhishek Banerjee, the TMC general secretary, as he addressed party members at the State Central Library here.
Supporters thronged the venue and TMC flags and posters were strung up all over the city. Banerjee also posed for several selfies with the party members.
Banerjee first opened the TMC’s office in Lachumiere before leading the programme at the State Central Library premises. The former was clouded somewhat by the frisking of the press who were invited to cover the event.
Also present for what almost seemed were festivities were leader of the opposition Dr Mukul Sangma, state party president Charles Pyngrope and opposition chief whip George Lyngdoh.
Pyngrope began with a welcome address that set the tone for the rest of the day.
“The people of Meghalaya are aspiring for new leadership that will bring back the lost glory of our people and state,” he said. “The abode of clouds is being taunted as a haven of corruption and of people with a clouded mindset.”
In a scathing attack against the NPP, Banerjee said, “Have you seen the body language of the CM when he meets BJP top brass in Delhi? He is an elected Chief Minister representing 35 lakh Meghalayans, carrying their hopes and aspirations. Should he bow down to BJP leaders? Is this why Meghalaya voted for him? If the answer is no, please support the TMC.”
In the presence of over 5,000 members, Banerjee said that the TMC’s only aim is to save Meghalaya from the divisive politics “of the proxy BJP government”, empower the people, uphold its different cultures and “celebrate the sacred land of Meghalaya”.
Much has been made of so-called double engine governments – where those at the state level are aligned with that of the Centre. “Under the false narrative of a double engine government, they are doing double heist and double robbery. Conrad Sangma was elected with hope but has become ‘Conman’ Sangma,” Banerjee said.
He also rubbished rival political parties for frequently alluding to the Bengali roots of the TMC. Being painted as a ‘Bengali party’, the TMC’s rivals hope, will make it less attractive to the tribals of Meghalaya.
“They will try to brand us as Bengali but I promise that Meghalaya will be run by the people of Meghalaya and not by Bengalis. Can the BJP put this on record that none of their governments will be run by Gujarat or Delhi?” Banerjee quipped.
