Mamata calls for movement against Modi govt

Asserts that the Trinamool govt will work for equality of all castes and creeds in the state

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today called for movement against Narendra Modi government at the Centre in view of rising prices and said BJP would not be able to emerge a major political force in the Trinamool Congress-ruled state.

"Within a month after coming to power, the Centre has increased the prices of petrol, diesel and hiked rail fares and freight rates. They(BJP) had said many things before the elections but after coming to power they are doing just the reverse. We will launch our movement against these democratically," Banerjee said while addressing a rally here.

In an attack on BJP, the TMC supremo said West Bengal has no place for the 'communal party'. "After bagging two seats (in the general election) in Bengal they (BJP) are making so much propaganda and telling so many lies. In Bengal in the next election, they will not get even those two seats. The number of seats will not cross two at any time."

"Attempts are being made at many places to incite communal riots and I urge you to remain alert," Banerjee said adding her government would not tolerate communal tensions.

She asserted that the TMC government in the state would work for equality of all castes and creeds.

The rally saw the switching over of four MLAs - three from Congress and one from CPI(M) to TMC in Banerjee's presence, apart from hundreds of local leaders and workers from differt opposition parties.

Magsaysay awardee and noted author Mahasweta Devi and a number of Bengali film stars also attended the rally.

Originally observed as Martyrs' Day in remembrance of 13 Youth Congress activists were killed in police firing on July 21, 1993, TMC has now christened it as 'Maa Maati Manush Divas'.

Traffic in Kolkata was gridlocked through the day due to the rally. Lakhs of people from the districts converged in the city to participate in the rally, which was also billed as thanksgiving for the party's success in the state in the general election.

A large number of city schools either declared today a holiday or gave over early. The office-goers had a harrowing time with fewer of buses and other public vehicles.

Police officials, who were deployed in strength, diverted vehicle movement along the route of the processions by TMC workers and supporters.