Kolkata/Siliguri/IBNS: Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday accused the BJP of "driving a wedge between religions and creating unrest".

Addressing public meetings as part of his two-month-long Jono Sanjog Yatra (mass contact outreach) ahead of the West Bengal Panchayat polls, Banerjee said, "BJP has no other agenda than driving a wedge between religions, stoking communal tensions & creating unrest."

"The sitting MLAs could see through their divisive politics & therefore joined us to work in public interest," he added.

"Instead of engaging in divisive politics, Trinamoole Nabo Jowar stands for unifying Bengal from Cooch Behar to Kakdwip promoting communal harmony and delivering welfare benefits to people's doorsteps, " asserted Banerjee.

"Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed under PM Narendra Modi and daily wage labourers, as well as farmers, have suffered the most, " he stated.

"Making matters worse, BJP in 4Bengal encourages bandhs and politicises people's death in the state, " Banerjee said.

"I respectfully request PM Modi to hold a Mann Ki Baat episode addressing the people of Bengal," he said adding, " Let them know, why the BJP has halted the MGNREGS funds rightfully owed to the state."

Taking strong exception to the "non-release" of MGNREGS wages, Banerjee said, "The BJP Government's silence on crores of MGNREGS wages due to Bengal is deafening. "

"People in the country are struggling to make ends meet, while PM Modi is celebrating the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat," he averred.

He said, " Hon’ble CM @MamataOfficial has intimated PM @narendramodi to release MGNREGS funds, at least 5 times. Twice, she met him personally. "

" MGNREGS funds are our constitutional right & we'll fight for what is rightfully ours," Banerjee added.

The Trinamool Congress fights in the interests of workers and farmers. We want to establish people's panchayats," he added.

"Trinamoole Nabo Jowar stands for rising above selfish interests and working in the people's interests, " he said.

"Trinamool Congress is a party that'll fight for people's rights until its last breath. Mamata Banerjee's tireless efforts have transformed Bengal and set an example for the rest of the country, " Banerjee said.

"We are a grassroots party and standing beside people through good times and bad will always be our priority, " he said.

"I walked all the way from Karandighi Krishak Mandi, covering almost 700 meters. People queued up in large numbers to show support. This is a testament to the fact that Mamata Banerjee has delivered on her promises " he added.

Extending his gratitude to all the workers on International Workers’ Day, Banerjee stated that through Trinamoole Nabo Jowar, they aim to bring welfare to people from all sections of life and ensure their well-being.

[With UNI inputs]