TMC Calls On Workers To 'Peacefully Gherao' BJP Leaders' Homes In Bengal On August 5

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that in addition to the August 5 gherao, the TMC will stage a dharna n Delhi on October 2 to demand the state's GST dues.

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at the Martyr's Day (July 21) public rally on Friday.

Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday exhorted the party's local leaders and supporters to gherao the homes of BJP leaders in Bengal on August 5. He said that this is the only way left now to demand the blocked funds for Bengal. He said that the 100-day-work scheme funds amounting to nearly Rs 7,000 crore. He was speaking at the Trinamool Congress's annual Martyr's Day rally.

"The centre has also blocked dues of the 100-day work scheme under the MGNREGA. This amounts to Rs 7,000-8,000 crore. All our local leaders should peacefully gherao the homes of all BJP leaders in the state to protest this," he said. TMC supremo and Bengal Chief Mamata Banerjee said that the gherao must be held peacefully and at least 100 metres away from the homes of the BJP leaders. "If there are elders in the house, do not trouble them. Let them pass freely. Conduct symbolic gheraos in blocks. Do not create hindrances for the family members [of the BJP leaders]. Stay 100 metres away from the houses so that no one can accuse us of illegal confinement."

TMC Plans Dharna In Delhi Over Bengal's GST Dues

Mamata Banerjee also said that the TMC will launch a 'Dilli Chalo' protest on October 2 when the leaders of the party will stage a dharna in Delhi to demand the state's GST dues. "We will stage a dharna in Delhi if we don't get our dues. You [Centre] take away all the taxes in the name of GST, leaving nothing for the state, but you don't give us the share of the revenue. If you do not clear all dues by October 2, we shall stage a dharna on Gandhi Jayanti." Abhishek Banerjee said that the TMC will bring all the dues, amounting to Rs 1,15,000 crore, that the Centre owes the state.