West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee, contesting from the Bhawanipur Assembly constituency, emphasized unity and inclusive development while addressing voters during her campaign.
Taking a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, Banerjee stated that she does not believe in dividing Bengal, calling the state a “mini India” where people of all communities coexist. She reiterated that her government’s focus remains on ensuring equal facilities and opportunities for all citizens.
Highlighting development initiatives, the Chief Minister pointed to the construction and support of religious and social infrastructure across communities, including temples, burial grounds, and healthcare institutions like Islamia Hospital. She also mentioned projects for minority and community welfare, including a Jain temple and educational expansion such as upgrading St. Xavier’s College under the Bhawanipore Education Society to a university.
Banerjee underscored her government’s commitment to infrastructure and culture, noting that Kolkata is being developed as a heritage city in collaboration with UNESCO. She also highlighted improvements in power supply, claiming there is currently no load-shedding in the city.
On the economic front, Banerjee criticized the central government over taxation policies, particularly the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). She argued that GST collections burden citizens and do not directly benefit local businesses, while asserting that her state government has not increased taxes on essential services like drinking water.
Reaffirming her governance approach,
Banerjee said her administration prioritizes public welfare over revenue collection, positioning it in contrast to what she described as the Centre’s tax-heavy policies.
