See me as family: Didi to Hindi speakers

AVIJIT SINHA, TT, 05 Oct 2018, Siliguri: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday appealed to the Hindi-speaking population of Siliguri to stand in her support and requested them to consider her as a "member of their family." 

In recent years, this is the first time that Mamata attended such a meeting in north Bengal where representatives from Hindi-speaking communities were present.

"I have not come here to seek votes from you but to mention that we are with you in both good and bad days. There are some people who meet you ahead of the elections and try to play divisive politics to get votes. I am not like them," she said, while speaking at a meeting organised by Paschim Bangal Hindi Bhashi Parishad.

In her speech, she tried to draw parallels with the BJP ruled states to drive home the point that people from other states live safely in Bengal. 

"In states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Assam, you will find that people from other states who live in these places, often face problems. There had been some incidents. But such things do not happen in Bengal. Here, you feel like at home. You, your family and your business, everything is safe here," said Mamata, addressing the audience.

She also referred to the statehood agitation and shutdown at the hills on last year "You all know who created trouble in Darjeeling. This breach of peace affected your business in Siliguri. Ahead of the elections, some people say, you are `Hindi Bhashi," so…. vote BJP. There should be no such diktat…. you are free to vote. I would say that Trinamul will be with you throughout the year," said the chief minister.

"Consider me as a member of your family. Didi will always be there with you and together, with the Bengalis and other communities, we will strive for development of the state," she added.

After the meet, Mamata attended an award function organised by Siliguri Journaists' Club at the auditorium in Uttarkanya, the branch secretariat of the state located on the southern end of Siliguri.