It was Abhishek Banerjee’s moment to shine in Parliament on Wednesday as he cornered the Centre over the budget and took a dig at the NDA’s flailing popularity, saying times had changed for the regime.
“Waqt Badal Gaya Hai [times have changed],” Banerjee said as he began his 56-minute speech, attacking the Union government for appeasing coalition partners in the budget to keep the government afloat.
Terming the budget a betrayal, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress said the poor, women, Dalits, and Muslims of the country had lost out to coalition politics. Banerjee also referred to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s controversial comment and said the government had followed his “Jo Humare Saath Hum Unke Saath [we are with those who support us]” policy.
“Waqt Badal Gaya Hai. This change is more than a paradigm shift in leadership. It’s a clear rejection of authoritativeness. It’s a rejection of arrogance, divisive politics and empty promises. The message from the electorate of this country is loud and clear,” he said.
Banerjee, while referring to demonetisation several times, said the government had failed to address the issue of black money or curb terrorism. When questioned by the Speaker for referring to events of the past, the TMC leader asked why the BJP was not stopped from raking up the past to counter opposition.
Ending his speech, Banerjee said: “This takes me back to where I started from. Waqt Badal Gaya Hai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads a creaky, shaky NDA coalition government, which is waiting to blow up. Rather than investing in the future of the country, it is unfortunate that a Union government is investing in his political survival at the expense of the nation’s well-being. Mark my words. Kursi Ki Peti Bandh Lijiye, Mausam Bigadne Wala Hai [fasten your seatbelts for turbulence ahead].”
The TMC termed its leader’s speech “fiery” and said it had hit the nail on the head after going viral.
Focus Bengal
Sources say Banerjee wanted to use the Parliament’s platform to publicise that money was due to Bengal. Last year, he had visited Delhi along with his party workers and held a protest demanding MGNREGA funds.
In Parliament on Wednesday, Banerjee emphasised that Bengal had been neglected as the BJP could not politically gain from the state. Apart from money for schemes, he said Bengal did not receive funds for flood management though other states had been helped.
Accusing the BJP of misusing central agencies, Banerjee recalled how his family too bore the brunt but he ultimately emerged victorious and won the Lok Sabha polls with an enviable margin.
BJP Hits Back
Sukanto Majumdar, minister and Bengal’s BJP president, slammed Banerjee’s arrogance and said all help had been extended to Bengal when required.
“Abhishek Banerjee should not talk like this. His arrogance is not acceptable in a democracy. People know that whenever the centre provided money to West Bengal, it was misused by the TMC government… The state government itself accepted that some ‘chori’ [theft] has happened.”
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