Kolkata, June 29 (IANS). Politics is hot in the West Bengal Assembly regarding the proposed Goonda Bill and the amendment related to OBC reservation. Meanwhile, suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Riju Dutta supported the government while reacting to both the bills. Besides, he also demanded an audit of the properties of TMC councilors and leaders and action against big leaders.
Riju Dutta, while talking to news agency IANS, said that the Goonda Bill being brought in the Assembly is the need of the hour. This law should have been implemented long ago. In the last several years, the culture of hooliganism and musclemen has increased in West Bengal, which has become extremely important to curb. Many such people in the state work like Bahubali under the banner of political parties, oppress the poor and women and challenge the law and order. Strict laws should be made against such people.
During this, Riju Dutta also mentioned MLA Humayun Kabir and said that questions have been raised on his language and public behaviour. The Chief Minister has also spoken about legal action against him in the Assembly. Strict action is necessary against such people living under political protection.
Appealing to the Chief Minister, he said that this law should not be used for political vendetta. If any opposition leader is raising his voice against the government, then this law should not be misused against him. Barring this one apprehension, he fully supports this bill and wants that the strongmen who have been oppressing the poor and women for years should be given the harshest punishment.
On the proposed amendment related to OBC reservation, Riju Dutta said that this system was originally implemented during the time of the Left government. At that time, out of 42 OBC categories, 41 categories were created with the aim of benefiting a particular community. If the present government is improving it then it is a positive step. OBC benefits should be given only to those people who are really eligible for it. If a large number of people are included in the OBC category just for the sake of vote bank politics, what impact will it have on the future of the general category youth? The proposed changes are positive and he supports them.
During the conversation, Riju Dutta also raised the demand for investigation of the assets of TMC councilors and leaders. He said that CM Suvendu Adhikari should also raise this issue and the properties of all Trinamool Congress councilors should be audited. It should be investigated what was his wealth before becoming a councilor and how much it increased after assuming the post. He argues that the salary of a councilor is limited, yet there should be an impartial investigation into how many people come to have luxurious buildings and expensive cars.
He alleged that earlier some people used to do small business, but today many are traveling in luxury vehicles. If they have any legitimate source of income then it will be revealed in the audit, but the public should get complete transparency. Dutta further said that recent incidents have made it clear that no one is exempted just by meeting the Chief Minister or touching his feet. However, he raised the question whether like previous governments, this time also action would be taken only against small level people. The people of Bengal want to see when action will be taken against the big leaders under whose patronage corruption and illegal activities allegedly continued.
He said that just catching small fish will not suffice. The public wants to see that the big fish and influential leaders are equally brought to book.
–IANS
PSK/DKP
