Banerjee was addressing the 33rd annual open session of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) employees and workers union, organised close to the municipal headquarters. Hundreds of municipal workers, representing the union, thronged the session.
“First, it was petroleum prices. This was followed by hike in the price of electricity, edible oils. And now, the service charge on water,” said Banerjee. She added that people who were paying a municipal tax of Rs 2,000 annually are now paying higher amounts.
She alleged that the CPM-Congress combine has been successful in wooing the media. “But one political party hardly matters. Public commitment is what matters.”
Citing the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report, Banerjee said it has revealed the facts.
“Politics is not for making money. We alone are fighting against money power, muscle power and the two governments,” Banerjee said.
Calling the Congress and the CPM a joint venture, Banerjee said after the recent election to the Rajya Sabha (where the Congress and the Left Front backed the same candidate from the state), the distinction between the two parties has blurred.
She said by holding the panchayat elections over a three-day period, the CPM wants to increase cadre concentration in Nandigram on the day of election.