As the political conversation moves online in preparation for the Bengal Assembly elections, Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of Trinamool Congress (TMC), on Monday called upon the IT cell of the party to "counter BJP's propaganda campaign against Bengal", alleging unfair treatment towards the state and the Bengali-speaking populace.
Banerjee was addressing IT cell members, student netas and party functionaries at the 'Ami Banglar Digital Joddha Conclave' at Milan Mela on Monday evening where he claimed that it is easy to counter lies, "but we have to tell people what the truth is".
Also Read | 'Your cell phone is your weapon....': TMC's Abhishek Banerjee addresses Aami Banglar Joddha Digital Conclave
He further directed the party's digital cell members to create a five-day action plan. "You should make social media plans for five days at a time. We need to fix our timeline for the next 100 days. They have made memes against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In order to belittle the CM, they have disrespected Maa Sarada. We need to expose this," he said.
Banerjee added, "Over the next 100 days, we cannot afford to lose even an inch of ground. If we leave any gap, the BJP will mislead the people."
Changing landscape of social media
Highlighting the importance of social media, Banerjee said, "Social media has become vital. 30 years ago, elections were conducted very differently. The media played a critical role and was considered the fourth pillar of democracy. Today, representatives of the media are seen walking in BJP rallies and raising slogans for them, which is shameful."
"We cannot depend solely on the media anymore. News outlets often show what the BJP wants them to show. From 2014 to 2026, the development work and welfare schemes of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have not been adequately covered by the media. Instead, she is blamed for everything," he added.
Also Read | SIR did not spare even 1971 war hero: Vir Chakra awardee forced to travel 18 km
The Diamond Harbour MP claimed that this was one of the main reasons behind the launch of their digital campaign. "It is in this context that we have launched this campaign, so that Digital Joddhas can effectively campaign for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on social media platforms such as Facebook, X, WhatsApp and YouTube," said Banerjee.
'AITC only party to consistently defeat the BJP'
Banerjee said that Trinamool is the only party to have defeated the BJP consistently. "Other parties have lost to the BJP, but we have kept winning against them. India’s defence is divided into the Army, Navy and Air Force. In the same way, if you divide AITC into three parts, the booth-level grassroots workers are our Army.
You who fight digitally are our Air Force. We, the parliamentarians, can be considered the Navy. If all three units move in the same direction with the same intention, the Opposition will not stand a chance," Banerjee asserted.
Also Read | Voters allege harassment as SIR hearing notices spark protests in West Bengal; Burdwan-Katwa highway blocked
'They detained my children...'
Taking about how he complied with the summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Banerjee said, "I have been tortured. They have summoned me and my wife. They detained my children at the airport. I went everywhere I was summoned by both ED and CBI."
"The more you threaten us, the stronger we become. Using agencies against us is futile. BJP leaders should go and take lessons from CPI(M) leaders to understand what mettle CM Mamata Banerjee is made of. CM Mamata Banerjee has answered in the language they understand. ED and CBI do not touch those who join the BJP."
