TMC delegation meets Suvendu, seeks humane approach to hawker evictions

A five-member delegation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by senior leader and Ballygunge MLA Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay, met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at the assembly premises on Thursday urging the state government to adopt a humane approach towards hawker eviction drives.

The meeting took place on the opening day of the Budget Session of the West Bengal Assembly. Following the discussion, TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh told reporters that the Chief Minister had assured the delegation that eviction drives would not be carried out in a high-handed manner.

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“We have appealed for a humanitarian approach to the issue of hawker evictions. There should be proper coordination between the Railways and the state government. Hawkers should be given adequate time before any action is taken,” Ghosh said.

Ghosh mentioned that the Chief Minister assured the delegation that “bulldozers would not be used indiscriminately” and that the concerns raised by the party would be taken into consideration.

The meeting assumed significance as it marked one of the first formal interactions between the TMC legislators (Mamata Banerjee loyalists) and the BJP-led government after the change of guard in the state.

Addressing a press conference at the assembly premises, Ghosh launched a sharp attack on rebel TMC leader and former Rajya Sabha member Ritabrata Banerjee without naming any recent political developments.

Taking a swipe at Banerjee, Ghosh said, “We did not have to crawl to secure a meeting with the Chief Minister. We do not believe in sycophancy. We do not support those who stab their leaders in the back.”

Ghosh further said that the Chief Minister had extended cooperation during the meeting and had even suggested arrangements for a separate room for the TMC legislators in the assembly.

“We will get our own time to meet the Chief Minister, just as legislators from the Congress, CPI(M) and the Indian Secular Front do. We are Trinamool Congress and we are in the Opposition. We will play the role of a constructive Opposition,” Ghosh said.

He added that the new government should also be given some time to function before being judged.

Speaking on the hawker issue, the Beleghata MLA said the delegation had specifically raised concerns over eviction drives affecting small traders and roadside vendors.

Ghosh reiterated his allegiance to TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee and alleged that attempts were being made by political rivals to intimidate party workers. He claimed that while the Opposition had remained silent on several issues affecting common people, the TMC would continue to raise concerns relating to hawkers, the poor and other vulnerable sections of the society.