While the Trinamool Congress had already stated that they were opposed to imposing water tax, Minister for Urban Development Ashok Bhattacharya said it was a condition of the Central government that Central assistance under JNNURM would be available only if water tax was imposed.

Speaking at a party rally in Rajabajaar, the CM said: “People here are saying that they would not take water tax. Why do they not raise the issue in Delhi? We will, however, take water tax only from big factories and rich people.”

Keeping in mind that Rajabajaar area is a minority-dominated area, the CM accused Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, of conspiring to create communal tension in the state.

“Her party was with the BJP, which was responsible for the riots in Gujarat. She even sent bouquets to Narendra Modi,” said Bhattacharjee, sharing the dais with 12 councillors who are contesting the civic polls.

The CM assured that “in every 100 jobs, 10 Muslims would get the jobs.” “If SC/ST can get reservation then why can’t the Muslims,” he said.

On the Rizwanur issue, the CM said: “I had gone to his home and spoke to his mother. The case should be investigated. But before Rizwanur died, he had written the name of a TMC councillor, who is also a MLA. This accusation has not been made against any other political party,” said the chief minister.

To CM’s Duranto remark, Mamata asks him to see people’s plight

In the season of rebuttals, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee lost no opportunity to poke her arch-rival Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who recently took a swipe at Banerjee’s pet project, Duranto Express.

Addressing a gathering of party supporters in Salt Lake on Sunday, Banerjee said decency stopped her party leaders from pointing fingers at “Nandan” and “Chandan”, hinting at former chief minister Jyoti Basu’s son, Chandan Basu and Bhattacharjee’s frequent visits to the cultural hub.

During an election rally in the past, the CM had referred to the Duranto Express and questioned the need of new trains. According to her, Bhattacharjee needs to come out of his office and visit the railway stations to realise the plight of the people and the requirement of new trains.

“Nobody had ever thought that a train faster than Rajdhani Express would come up, but Duranto proved it wrong. Nobody has any right to mock at it,” said Banerjee.

According to her, “Bengal’s brain” from most sectors like industry, education, health and administration were residents of Salt Lake area, but the government’s lack of foresight

has hindered development in this area.

“If we come to power we will constitute an advisory committee consisting of eminent locals. The Salt Lake Municipality will be advised in various areas by the committee,” said Banerjee.

Alleging that government neglect has turned the posh Salt Lake area into a den of criminals, Banerjee said her party was also aware of the various civic problems faced by the people.

“People have to buy a bucket of fresh water here. We have a strategy that will ensure that everybody receives fresh water in the area,” she said.

Banerjee alleged that CPM is planning to indulge in massive violence in Salt Lake area on the poll day (May 30).