Mamata Banerjee says the BJP is helping Maoists enter Bengal to create trouble, and are misleading tribal people

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of bringing in Maoists to the state from Jharkhand through its border with the neighbouring state. Though she did not mention the political party by name, her statement made it clear she meant the BJP. At a programme in Jhargram district, Banerjee said that “some people, having won (elections) in the area, are bringing in Maoists into Bengal from Jharkhand”. The BJP’s performance in Jhargram and other districts in south-western parts of the state has been exceptionally well in the recent panchayat polls.

The results have led to the formation of new alliances and new dynamics in the predominantly tribal areas of West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram districts. Jangalmahal has since been an important destination for political leaders — from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BJP President Amit Shah, and Mamata Banerjee, have held public meetings in the region.

At the programme today, Banerjee reminded the people of Jhargram of the days when they could not venture out “for fear of Maoists”. There was murder and mayhem, she said, adding that the Trinamool Congress government had put an end to it and reminded them that peace was now prevailing. Banerjee was accused by the then ruling Left Front government of allying with the People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA) – a frontal organisation of the Maoists in the run up to the 2011 Assembly elections.

After Mamata Banerjee came to power defeating the Left Front in 2011, she tried to go to the talks table with the Maoists, though the plan fell through. Subsequently, she has referred to the Maoists as supari killers.

Today she used the word, “militant” again (“I do not like militants, I don’t like those who are creating rift between people”) though it was not clear whom she meant – the BJP or the Maoists. She has recently called BJP a militant organisation and has earlier referred to the Maoists as supari-killers.

Banerjee said that people must not make the mistake of bringing back those horrifying days all over again. “Jangalmahal is now peaceful. We have worked a lot for its development.”

Banerjee appealed to the local people of keeping faith in her. “Have faith in me. Tell me if we make a mistake. We will take immediate action.”

She also warned the people to not be lured by false assurances from those (read political parties) who were offering them money. “They are promising something for a day. But remember, we have done so much for you all these years, and we will do more,” she said. She asked government officials of the district to visit homes of the tribal people to find out if there were gaps in implementation of schemes, and if they needed something.

Mamata Banerjee spoke of the way lynchings were taking place all over the country and dalits were being targeted under the BJP regime. People are being killed through false encounters in Uttar Pradesh, she said.