Unite & save our democracy: Didi to CMs of oppn states

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been spearheading anti-CAA-NRC protests in West Bengal, has written to her counterparts in opposition-ruled states and senior opposition leaders urging a “concerted plan to protest and save our democracy”.

Urging them to “let us work together”, Banerjee stressed that “today more than ever, we need to rise against the draconian regime in a united manner.”

Singled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for some sharp attacks at his Delhi rally the day before, Banerjee responded on Monday immediately after the opposition alliance won the Jharkhand assembly polls.

“Today, I write this letter to you with grave worries in my mind. The citizens of this country irrespective of caste and creed, particularly women and children, farmers, workers and members of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs and minorities are in the grip of fear and panic for the CAA and the proposed nationwide NRC. The situation is very serious,” the CM wrote.

Banerjee urged the senior leaders “to stand up against this in a concerted and united manner, let us create peaceful and meaningful opposition to these unholy efforts by the Centre and save India’s democratic soul”.

She further said: “I appeal to you at this juncture, let us work together. Opposition unity must be on one platform. The ruling party is bulldozing this democratic movement by using state machineries and brute force. Leaders of the opposition are not being allowed to even visit the disturbed areas.” She highlighted how a Trinamool delegation was not allowed to meet affected people in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Banerjee appealed that “the youth and students have risen against and are facing barbaric and brute force of the Centre. The entire world is watching us. Let us all rise to save India of our forefathers and founders”.

The CM’s letter came immediately after she tweeted congratulations to JMM leader Hemant Soren, RJD and Congress for their Mahagathbandhan’s victory in the Jharkhand polls. “Elections were held during #CAA_NRC_Protest. This is a verdict in favour of citizens,” she tweeted.

Soren responded, saying the battle was to establish a democratic and socially inclusive Jharkhand. The assembly poll victory came in for informal discussions during the Bengal cabinet meeting, a senior state minister said.

The Bengal CM has not only announced that CAA and NRC will not be implemented, she has also advocated an “opinion poll” by an independent agency, even UN, to gauge public mood on the issue. This statement has been singled out by both Modi and BJP for fierce attacks. The Bengal government has also stopped the National Population Register enumeration for Census 2021 that is being alleged to be a prelude to NRC.

According to Trinamool seniors, party strategist Prashant Kishor has been strongly advocating a concerted effort by CMs of all non-BJP states to emulate Banerjee’s vociferous anti-CAA-NRC protests.