Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday underscored her government’s efforts to ensure all-round development of infrastructure in places of religious interest across Bengal.
“We have spent on preserving the ghats and river banks at Belur and Dakshineswar. At Tarapith, we have cleaned up the pond and the crematorium. We have done up Kankalitala (temple in Birbhum). I have asked (urban development minister) Firhad Hakim to build another skywalk at Kalighat temple. We have also spent on Fur Fura Sharif,” Mamata said at an awards programme in state secretariat Nabanna.
“I have asked churches and gurdwaras…,” the chief minister added, suggesting she has extended help whenever sought.
“I am proud of the way Durga Puja and other festivals were celebrated this time. But we will have to do even better next time,” she added, while awarding several Puja committees the Biswa Bangla Sarad Samman. “Utsav ke tekka debe utsav-i (Only festivals will outshine festivals),” Mamata said.
Several Trinamul Congress leaders said Mamata was trying to counter BJP “polarisation” and send out a message of inclusiveness before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The chief minister will on Thursday visit the Matua hub of North 24-Parganas to launch yearlong celebrations of the birth centenary of Binapani Devi, the matriarch of the backward community.
Mamata has already established herself as the “foremost champion” of minority rights, Trinamul sources said, and is now highlighting her role in promoting the cause of all religions and communities. She has been asserting her credentials as a Hindu in almost every speech, contrasting it with the Hindutva of the RSS-BJP.
“Although the BJP has been making derisive comments on her so-called ‘soft Hindutva’, the fact is that the saffron brigade’s aggressive attempts to gain a foothold in Bengal through polarisation has taken a beating because of the steps she has taken,” said a Trinamul leader.
Last month, the government distributed Rs 10,000 each among 28,000 community Durga Puja organisers across Bengal. The move cost the exchequer Rs 28 crore. The disbursal of money had been dubbed politically motivated by the Opposition, including the BJP.
Mamata inaugurated many Durga Pujas in October, besides several Kali Pujas earlier this month.
A day before Kali Puja at Dakshineswar, she inaugurated a skywalk for devotees. On Monday, she was at Posta for Jagaddhatri Puja.
On Wednesday, when lakhs were celebrating Chhath Puja, Mamata underlined how her government had been working overtime to meet the demands of devotees from every corner of the state over the years.
“Lakhs and lakhs of devotees took a dip in the Ganga on the occasion of Chhath. Up next is the Ganga Sagar Mela (in mid-January) where some 20 lakh devotees are expected,” she said.
“Have you seen the changes we have brought about in Ganga Sagar? Chehara bodley gechhey (the entire appearance has changed),” Mamata added.
