“Corruption and money laundering during the Left Front run civic board” is the highlight of the Trinamul Congress election manifesto released on Thursday. Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee has aimed to point out the significant civic work done during mayor Subrata Mukherjee’s tenure and promised development in areas
like water supply, sewerage and roads through her manifesto. In the wake of her earlier statement in a rally on Wednesday that Bengal will go to the Assembly polls within three months if the Trinamul wins the municipal elections Ms Banerjee has explained her stand saying that an early Assembly election in October was possible as per the constitution. “The state government has stopped functioning ever since the Lok Sabha polls almost a year ago. Under these circumstances it is quite possible to hold elections six months early, ” Ms Banetjee said. Pointing out that different parts of the country including Bihar will go to the polls in October, she said, “We understand the constitution and once we are victorious in the municipal polls we will demand for early assembly polls in the state.” However when asked whether the Centre had given her a go ahead in this matter Ms Banerjee side-stepped the question saying that, “It is a political decision and the home minister has been apprised of the situation in the state.”
The election manifesto which was formally released by former mayor Subrata Mukherjee at the Kalighat residence of the Ms Banerjee, strongly attacks the CPI(M) for alleged misappropriation of funds acquired under various schemes of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). “We will demand inquiry into the misappropriation of funds once we come to power,” Subrata Mukherjee said.
Although the Trinamul Congress has decided not to go all out against the Congress in their election campaign, but the manifesto has pages that contravenes its stand. “Unfortunately the Congress has played a role that will help the CPI(M) before the municipal elections. To defeat CPI(M) vote for only Trinamul Congress. This fight is between the CPI(M) and the Trinamul Congress and there is nobody else in between,” read the pages 36-37 of the manifesto. Taking potshot at the Congress the manifesto also adds that just like the front partners of the CPI(M), ‘certain political parties’ (read the Congress) have also become undefined allies of the CPI(M).