Kharagpur (West Bengal), Sep 18 — In the wake of the Election Commission of India’s interim order freezing the Trinamool Congress’ name and symbol, West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Friday said that the opposition party is in a situation where its leaders are "finishing themselves off" by fighting among themselves.

This comes as the ECI, in an interim order on Thursday, barred both factions of the Trinamool from using the party symbol and name in the coming Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar in West Bengal.

Speaking to reporters, Ghosh said: "The status of the Trinamool Congress is such that they are finishing themselves off by fighting among themselves. The public has rejected them. Their accounts have been frozen. Their party office, which occupied space in someone’s house, has been lost. One of their MPs is in another party, their MLA is in a third party, and Mamata Banerjee is left alone. A party cannot run like this."

"That is why they have nothing in their hands, not even the documents. Everything is now in the hands of the Election Commission, and they will take the decision."

On the Calcutta High Court’s order directing the CBI to crack down on illegal constructions, Ghosh alleged that various "anti-social and anti-national activities" had taken place in West Bengal under the Mamata Banerjee government.

"In Bengal, under Mamata Banerjee’s government, all kinds of anti-social and anti-national activities had been taking place. No action had been taken against anyone involved in major corruption cases. The police remained inactive, and the government did nothing," he said.

Ghosh further said that immediate action was taken once the government changed. He said people had approached the courts because they had lost faith in the administration.

“But as soon as the government changed, immediate action was taken. Since the police did nothing, people went to court. And by court order, inquiries into major scams and violence have now begun. This will boost the morale of the local people. The pressure on the public and their lack of trust in the administration will also change, restoring their faith,” he said.

On the Calcutta High Court allowing former Mamata Banerjee to hold a meeting at Sreerampore Court Ground, Ghosh said Banerjee should comply with the court’s order.

“Mamata Banerjee should abide by the order given by the court. During her government’s tenure, when they did not grant us permission, we used to approach the court. And with the court’s order, we used to hold our meetings,” he said.

Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on Annapurna Diwas, Ghosh said the government had taken steps for the welfare, dignity and safety of women.

“The women of Bengal were being cheated in the name of ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’. We doubled that amount and created ‘Annapurna Bhandar’. Yesterday, in many places, women were honoured. For us, the respect and safety of women are paramount,” he said.

He also referred to the RG Kar case, saying, “That is why a fresh inquiry is being conducted into the RG Kar case, and those involved from there have been suspended. Further action will proceed in this manner. The safety and dignity of women will remain our top priority. The present government will fulfil the wishes of the Hon’ble Prime Minister.”

On the state’s educational curriculum including the biography of Jana Sangh leader Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Ghosh said the next generation should be made aware of his contribution to Bengal and the country.

“Syama Prasad Mukherjee is the founder of West Bengal. He fought against Jinnah and separated it from Pakistan. Attempts were made to make people forget him, and attempts were also made to change the name of West Bengal. So, every person here needs to know the founder of Bengal,” he said.

“He made various contributions as an educationist, revolutionary, social reformer and administrator, and sacrificed his life for the integrity of the country. Our next generation needs to know about this,” Ghosh added.

Reacting to reports that the US had passed a bill proposing 100 per cent tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, Ghosh said India would continue to take decisions in its national interest.

“This has happened many times before. India has clearly stated that, in the best interest of our country, wherever necessary, we will procure oil, import other goods and maintain agreements with whichever country we need to. Therefore, what America says is not going to have much of an impact,” he said.

On the arrest of alleged CPI-Maoist leader Asim Mandal, alias Akash, Ghosh said security agencies had become more active against extremist groups.

“Whether Maoist terrorists, Islamic terrorists or terrorists from the Northeast, earlier they used to come and hide in Bengal to take shelter. They used to carry out anti-national activities here in this manner. The previous government did nothing and gave them shelter here. As soon as the government changed, police action was initiated, central agencies became active, and everyone is now being brought before the law,” he said.

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