Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, launched 'Didi Ko Bolo' campaign in an attempt to connect with people and strengthen her party at the grassroots level. The campaign is not just a direct communication platform with the West Bengal chief minister, but is also intended to have multiple ‘trackers’ and ‘buckets’ (software) where problems and suggestions will be listed for prompt action.
Around 1,000 Trinamool Congress leaders will be heading towards 10,000 Bengal villages over the next 100 days as part of the party's first major programme ahead of the assembly elections in 2021. Announcing the initiative at a press conference, Mamata said that the party would decide who would visit where. The announcement was made after Mamata's meeting with MLAs and other senior leaders.
The party leaders would visit the villages and lend their ears to booth workers, influential people in the area, anyone who wishes to voice grievances or raise concerns. A party helpline number and a website www.didikebolo.com have been launched for people to reach out to Mamata directly. Mamata, however, said that this was not part of her campaign for the assembly elections. "We are not starting our campaign now. A lot of time is left and there is work to be done. We want to provide a platform to the people so that they can share their concerns."
During these visits, the party functionaries will spend at least three hours interacting with people, to understand their problems and provide appropriate solutions. The unresolved issues will be conveyed to Mamata, who will look into them personally. At the end of their visit, the ruling party's representative will hoist the TMC flag at a place of significance.
The initiative is also the first such step announced by TMC after roping in poll strategist Prashant Kishor. Banerjee, however, is readying to fight back and her comeback strategy appears to be targeted towards winning back her rural support.
