Mamata continues targeting section of civil society

Kolkata: Continuing her tirade against a section of the civil society which has been deriding her government over the rising crime graph, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused them of taking undue credit for bringing political change in the state.

"By participating in a few processions, they claim to be the harbingers of change. They are belittling our tireless 34 years' crusade against the Left Front. They behave as if they spoon-fed me into becoming the chief minister," Banerjee said at a party rally in Bankura district.

Barring eminent writer and activist Mahasweta Devi, Banerjee blamed a section of intellectuals "patronised by the Communist Party of India-Marxist" of running a smear campaign against her.

"I thank Mahasweta Devi for her efforts and inspiration. But the others are just taking credit for the good deeds which are a result of my untiring efforts. I work like a ghost day in and day out, but they don't hesitate before giving me a bad name," she said.

The chief minister, who has taken strong exception to some TV talk-show panelists and even accused them of being "involved in pornography", claimed they were paid money to spread canards against the government.

"They appear all decked up on TV and take thousands of rupees just to say rubbish about our government. They are all patronised by the CPI-M, and at their behest, indulge in mud slinging at us," said Banerjee.

She also rubbished the Left Front's claims of widespread violence in the wake of the upcoming panchayat polls in the state and accused them of trying to create unrest.

"So far over 1.70 lakh nominations have been filed and only three people - two of them from our party - have been killed. How dare they allege violence when over 100 people were killed each during the panchayat polls in 2003 and 2008 under their rule?

"They (Left) cannot bear seeing people living in peace and are constantly conspiring to kill me and create unrest. Do not fall prey to their provocation, rather teach them a befitting lesson," added Banerjee.