Tripura assembly polls: Left, BJP same in terms of violence & graft, says Mamata Banerjee

AGARTALA: West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday while addressing an election rally here equated the BJP-led government in Tripura with the 25 years' rule of communists and alleged that both the parties are same in terms of indulging in violence, oppression and corruption.
Criticising the five-year-old BJP government in Tripura, she said, "Before coming to power they made tall promises of development, but nothing happened except attacks, atrocities and corruption.Agartala remained like it always was with the addition of one narrow flyover where even two cars cannot move together and a few shops. If the capital city is like this, people can understand the situation of other parts."
"The party could not bring investment, set up industries, nor build minimum business infrastructure in five years. TMC is committed to ensure development of Tripura on a par with West Bengal if it gets a chance to serve the state in the election," Mamata said, adding, "We shall set up industries, best-quality schools, colleges, engineering and medical institutions, hospitals and trade centres in Tripura."
"Tripura and West Bengal are twins. I want whatever service and welfare schemes available in West Bengal have to be made available for the people of Tripura. We are committed to provide Rs 1,000 per month to the tribal women and Rs 500 for the general-category women, students' credit card, health scheme, and all other social welfare initiatives to uplift the socio-economic status of Tripura," she said.
"BJP always referred to the double engine for development. Actually, they cheat on peoples' emotions. They have two engines - ED and CBI. When all options failed, Modiji mobilised them and we have been facing the atrocities. But BJP should know that TMC is not a mere flower in the grass - today it has become a 'big tree'. Not so easy to uproot it - we have reached this level with sheer hard work and support of the people."
Trinamool Congress has filed candidates across 28 constituencies of 60-member assembly, including two in Agartala. The party fielded senior advocate Ananta Banerjee against chief minister Dr Manik Saha from Bardowali constituency and advocate Pujan Biswas from Ramnagar constituency of the city. The party has been expecting good results from Muslim-dominated seats of North Tripura and Sepahijala districts.