Abhishek Banerjee's Yatra Ends In Kakdwip After Traversing 4,500 Km

"These past 60 days have been a revelation for me personally. I have stayed with people throughout," Abhishek Banerjee said

Trinamool Congress leader and the party's National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee's outreach campaign ended today at Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas district. The 60-day yatra from the north to the south of the state covered 4,500 km with over 135 events, 125 road shows and 33 district meetings in an effort to select the right panchayat poll candidates. The campaign had to be suspended for a day when the CBI summoned the 35-year-old leader for questioning.

"These past 60 days have been a revelation for me personally. I have stayed with people throughout. When I began this campaign, my critics in the opposition had said I won't be able to be on the road for six days, let alone 60. But I have proved them wrong, not even for a day have I gone back to Kolkata except for when CBI summoned me. Our opposition doesn't realise, the more you hit an iron, it becomes stronger," Mr Banerjee told party supporters at the culmination event in Kakdwip, where his aunt and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also addressed the gathering.

"These 60 days, I have donated blood, even met Bohiragotos. It has shown the people what a strong resolve can achieve. All those people who say Bangla doesn't have democracy, they have been proven wrong. We are not practicing violence in panchayat elections. There is 100 per cent nomination in zilla parishad elections. That is a record in itself. BJP, CPI(M) and Congress claim that they haven't been able to file nominations. See the numbers for yourself, you will see who is where," Abhishek Banerjee said.

"In the coming days, let us vote for Trinamool's candidate, the Ma Mati Manush candidate, make them win. And we will bring a revolution in Bengal. The centre's deprivation of funds will be answered by the people through votes. We will after the votes go to Delhi and snatch our rightful dues from the centre," he said, hinting at a protest over the Union government withholding dues to Bengal over corruption allegations.