Mamata dubs BJP as ‘job-eater’, says Bengal won’t forgive its leaders for ‘conspiring to snatch’ livelihood of 26k teachers

Mamata said the "conspiracy" was evident from the reactions of the leaders of BJP, CPM and Congress after the court gave its verdict. 

PINGLA/ GARBETA, MP, APRIL 26, 2024 :  Taking a dig at the BJP, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday dubbed it a "job-eater" and said the people of West Bengal would not forgive its leaders for "conspiring to snatch" the livelihood of nearly 26,000 teachers. 

Addressing an election rally in support of TMC's Ghatal candidate Dev, Mamata also attacked the CPM and Congress in the same breath, calling the two parties "eyes and ears" of the BJP in the state. 

"You have heard about maneater tigers, but have you heard about the job-eater BJP? Did you see the glee on the face of the leaders of the BJP, CPM and Congress after so many people were rendered jobless by the court," she asked the people at the rally. 

"I don't want to comment on the judgement or say anything about the judges. But after taking away the jobs of 26,000 youths, you are asking them to return the salary along with 12 per cent interest. Can you take jobs like that? Give them a chance to rectify. How can 26,000 people be treated in such a way," the Chief Minister questioned. 

The Calcutta High Court on Monday ordered the cancellation of appointments of 25,753 teachers and non- teaching staff made through the recruitment process of State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in state-run schools, declaring the selection process as "null and void". 

Mamata said the "conspiracy" was evident from the reactions of the leaders of BJP, CPM and Congress after the court gave its verdict. 

"The people of West Bengal will not forgive these parties for their roles. They also filed PILs in the court and stalled any new initiative by the state government to fix the anomalies," she said. Mamata alleged the Opposition BJP was again "conspiring" to stall the state government's decision to recruit 10 lakh people.

"They don't want to wipe the tears from the faces of the unemployed youth, but want to use them for winning the elections," she claimed. "If 26,000 teachers go, who will teach in the state-run schools? Will RSS now take over?" she asked. She called the CPI(M) and Congress "eyes and ears of the BJP" in West Bengal.