Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday started a special program called ‘Ek Dake Abhishek’ (one call away Abhishek) to provide legal assistance to persecuted workers of his party. A special helpline number has also been launched. Banerjee shared the details of the initiative on his social media handles.
The social media post mentions, “Contact us for any legal assistance to facilitate the homeless, oppressed, and workers involved in false cases for political purposes due to BJP’s atrocities in the post-election violence.” The helpline number is 7887778877.
Since the change of government in the state, Trinamool Congress leaders have claimed in various places that their workers are being attacked and targeted by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). They are being forced to leave their homes due to such atrocities.
However, BJP leaders have made it clear that they have no connection with this. The BJP also said that if the BJP workers’ connection is proven, the police have been instructed to take action against them.
However, the theory of ‘torture’ has also been heard from the rebel camp of Trinamool MLAs and MPs. They argue that they decided to step aside from the ‘corrupt’ Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee to stand by the tortured workers.
Following the development, Akhruzzaman, the Chief Whip of the rebel Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party in the state Assembly and MLA from Raghunathganj in Murshidabad district, said, “If the workers could get the party on their side by calling, then there would be no need for the organisation. By calling and holding online meetings, he (Abhishek) has finished the Trinamool. If you want to stand by the workers, you have to reach out to them. We will do that.”
Ritabrata Banerjee, who became the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly with the support of rebel MLAs, said, “Let the money, which was misused to avail a chartered plane, be now used to help the workers in their distress.”
It may be noted that after the 2021 Assembly elections, ‘One call away Abhishek’ was originally started for the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency. After that, it was expanded and rolled out across the entire state.
At that time, the Trinamool was in power. After the change of government, that situation has changed radically. It is yet to be seen how much Abhishek Banerjee can mend the wounds with his old programme in this new context.
(IANS)
