From Fields to Forefront: Farm Leader Banya Tudu Ahead of Kolkata Brigade Rally
Kolkata/Hooghly: With anticipation building for the Left Front's Brigade rally scheduled for April 20th, a powerful interview featuring Banya Tudu, a prominent farm laborer leader (ক্ষেত মজুর) from Hooghly district, is drawing significant attention. Tudu, hailed by some as a rising voice within the CPI(M) comparable to Minakshi Mukherjee, offered sharp criticism of the state government and shared insights into her political journey.
Speaking candidly, Tudu, who is actively involved in farming, dismissed any fear in speaking out against government policies, stating thieves must be called thieves. She traced her political roots back to her father's influence and her long association with the party, highlighting her experience from participating in marches to serving as a local leader (প্রধান) for a decade.
Tudu didn't hold back in her critique of the current administration's welfare schemes like Kanyashree and Lakshmir Bhandar, suggesting they aren't fundamentally different from past initiatives and calling the financial aid inadequate. She also raised concerns about alleged corruption in rural development projects, including housing and the 100-day work scheme.
Addressing the contentious issue of industrialization, particularly concerning Singur, Tudu criticized the narrative promoting small-scale self-employment ("chop bhaja") over reopening major factories. She asserted that the people in areas like Singur desire industrial opportunities.
Refuting suggestions that her speeches are dictated by party leadership, Tudu emphasized that her words stem from her own experiences and the struggles faced by the rural populace due to unemployment and alleged corruption.
As the Left Front prepares for its show of strength at the Brigade Parade Ground, all eyes will be on speakers like Banya Tudu, who has indicated she will address the pressing issues of rural employment and governance in her speech.
