At a function to inaugurate a new reservation counter in Gariahat on Wednesday, she detailed a list of developmental works that she, as the railway minister, has done in the short period at the helm. She also read out a list of bonanza to come from her ministry. “Let us compete through developmental work. Let the people decide who is better,” Banerjee said to a cheering crowd in an area known to be her backyard.

Earlier, as if addressing an election rally, she detailed the development work she had done as a Railway minister.

Bringing up the land issue once again, she said: “I have created a Railways land bank within three months of becoming the minister. I do not hurry into things, but plan and keep things ready and only then announce projects. I had done land movement. I want you to know that I have not stopped with the success of the movement but am carrying the ideas forward.”

To many leaders present at the meeting, Banerjee’s comments appeared to be directed at the CPM. After the Singur and Nandigram movement, she had floated the idea of creating a land bank in the state and letting industrialists choose from the demarcated land. The state government is still in the process of finalising a detailed land bank map.

But Banerjee announced that she had “already demarcated 1.12 lakh acres that can be used for development work”. Of this, 21000 acres will be used for a dedicated freight corridor, she said.

Taking credit for beginning railway projects in Dankuni, Noapara and Dum Dum, she said: “I have directed officers to recruit all those who did apprenticeship from the railways.”

After signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Union Health Ministry to set up a chain of hospitals and diagnostic centres throughout the country on railway land, Banerjee now wants to set up schools on railway land as well.

“We are in the process of signing a MoU with the Human Resources Ministry,” she said. She will also sign a deal with IIT Kharagpur to assist students in research work.

Banerjee’s current drive to set up reservation centres throughout Kolkata is done with the municipal elections in mind. She plans to set up more counters at Dhakuria, Behala, Mullickbazar. She also announced plans to set up such counters at some places in North Kolkata as well.

Banerjee even commented on the “shabby” state of Gariahat. “This used to be such a bright area. They have made the place so dark and shabby by constructing the flyover. I will put up lights all over the place to make it bright,” she said.

Subrata, Mamata share dais again
Stirring further speculations, former mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and working president of the state Congress shared the dais with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for the second time in a week.

Leaders in both parties see this as Mukherjee’s attempt to secure Banerjee’s vote for him as the next mayor — if the Congress-Trinamool alliance manages to wrest the civic body from the CPM.

The function to inaugurate a new railway reservation centre was being held at Nandi Lane, off Dover Lane, which is Mukherjee’s backyard.

Three speakers had completed their speech when Mukherjee made a surprise entry. His name was nowhere in the invitation cards. Speaking from the dais, he offered a ready explanation. “I do not want people to have wrong ideas. I am here because this is my para. I have been staying here for many years,” said Mukherjee, who is also the local councillor.

He was all praise for the minister. “There are very few ministers who work as hard and as fast as Mamata,” he said. “She is working at a tremendous pace.”

Banerjee herself did not comment on the issue. The state Congress leaders, too, did not want to comment especially after Pradesh Congress president Pranab Mukherjee had supported Subrata Mukherjee’s step to meet Mamata.