Abhishek shares meal with migrant workers, answers their queries

Trinamul Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday described the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections as a “vote of protest” and a “vote to punish” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), launching a sharp attack on the Centre and the saffron party’s leadership.

Addressing a rally at Old Malda in Malda district, Banerjee referred to a series of recent incidents, including the alleged assault on a street food vendor during a ‘Gita Path’ programme in Kolkata and the harassment of migrant workers through notices for SIR (Special Intensive Revision) hearings.

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“Even with 70 BJP MLAs in this state, such attacks are being carried out on an ordinary patty (snack) seller. If they come to power, have you thought about how terrifying and widespread such attacks could become against the people?” he asked.

Comparing BJP’s present representatives to garbage, Banerjee said, “The time has come to throw away all this trash. This is a vote of protest, a vote of retaliation. All the garbage must be cleaned out and dumped into the Ganges.”

Referring to a recent incident involving Goutam Barman, a BJP booth president from South Dinajpur, Banerjee said that the Maharashtra Police had allegedly jailed him after branding him a Bangladeshi. “When his family approached Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumder, he did nothing. We stepped in, provided legal assistance, and brought him back,” Banerjee claimed, adding, “A party that cannot protect its own booth president ~ how will it protect West Bengal?”

Throwing a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, Banerjee said, “If you have the power, try putting 10 crore Bengali people behind bars.” He asserted that the BJP must be politically defeated, adding, “After 2029, the BJP will not exist. Only the Constitution will remain.”

Recalling the 2021 Assembly elections, Banerjee said Malda and Murshidabad had played a decisive role in bringing the TMC to power. “In 2021, TMC won eight seats from these districts. This time, we must win 12 seats,” he said.

Explaining the party’s ideology, Banerjee said TMC stands for communal harmony ~ T for Temple, M for Mosque, and C for Church, adding that the party was formed “with the blessings of the supreme power of the universe.”

He also commented on the emergence of new political outfits, saying everyone has the democratic right to form a party. However, referring to Murshidabad, he alleged that one such individual had collected large sums of money in the name of building a mosque. “Do not give even a single penny there,” he urged.

Sharing a helpline number (7887778877), Banerjee told the gathering that he would serve the people “till his last breath” and asked migrant workers to contact him if they faced any difficulties. He expressed confidence that the TMC would return to power in 2026, assuring that the state government would take concrete steps to create employment opportunities within West Bengal so people would not be forced to migrate to other states for work.

Calling for unity, Banerjee said, “To bring the TMC to power for the fourth time, unity is essential. The BJP is trying to capture Bengal by dividing Hindus and Muslims. We must remain united. Wherever people have been divided, the BJP has captured power.”

Questioning the BJP’s promises, he said: “Since 2019, the BJP has been talking about implementing the CAA. Have they been able to do it?” He added pointedly, “If the country’s home minister is Amit Shah, then Bengal’s home minister is Mamata Banerjee.”

Referring to the Prime Minister’s proposed visit, Banerjee said, “I have heard that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Malda on 17 January. I will also come in the first week of February, and wherever the Prime Minister holds his meeting, I will hold an even bigger one and give a fitting reply.”

During the programme, Banerjee also interacted with six migrant workers, addressing their grievances. One worker, who had lost his hand in militant attacks in Kashmir, sought advice on livelihood options. Banerjee assured his family that the state government would provide suitable support.

Another migrant worker, currently employed in Saudi Arabia, said he had been summoned for an SIR hearing but could not return to India due to high travel costs. Banerjee advised him to submit copies of his passport and visa documents to the concerned authorities and the TMC help desk.

He also assured legal assistance to a migrant worker whose employer had allegedly withheld pending dues, advising him to file a case against the organisation concerned.