Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central Government, asserting that “Bengal will be run by Bengal, not Delhi.”Addressing a government distribution programme in Jalpaiguri, Banerjee criticised the centre’s policies and alleged that migrant workers from Bengal are being tortured for speaking in Bengali.“If your crops get destroyed, do not worry as we have crop insurance. We also provide Rs 2 lakh to the families of deceased farmers. Many migrant workers are being tortured for speaking in Bengali. I say speak more in Bengali. I will also see what they can do and to what extent they can go. They are sending notices from Assam to our residents in Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri. They are pushing back our people just because they are speaking in Bengali. They are not even sparing tribal women,” Mamata Banerjee said.“We will speak in our mother tongue, but we will also learn other languages. We do not disrespect any language, speak in whichever you prefer, Why should I not speak in Bengali?,” she said, adding that the Centre was trying to impose its will on Bengal. “But you cannot control Bengal. Bengal will be run by Bengal, not Delhi,” the CM said.“Desh ka neta wahi ho sakta hai jo desh ko samajhta hai, (a leader who understands the nation can lead the country), not someone who divides the nation. Do you know why they hate Bengal? It is because without Bengal there could be no freedom struggle. The British were compelled. Kolkata was the capital then and since they were unable to tackle us, they shifted it to Delhi. We will not submit or bow down,” she said.The TMC supremo claimed that the state has brought back 24,000 migrant workers and their families, and that they would receive financial assistance and other benefits. “We have already brought back 24,000 migrant workers and their families. Why go to other States at all? We also have 1.5 crore workers from other States working here. We do not misbehave with them and they receive all kinds of benefits. But why should you assault and chase away our people working in the Double-Engine States? I do not need a Double-Engine government. People are the biggest pilots. The country is steered by the common man. They have even stopped the holiday on December 25”The CM slammed the Centre’s flood management system, saying that the state was suffering due to incessant rainfall and unregulated water release from the DVC. “The whole country is marred by floods this year. Even here, both north and south Bengal are suffering. This year there has been incessant rainfall, but the DVC also releases water without control. We have told the Centre that Bengal should be made a member of the India-Bhutan River Commission so that we can coordinate. We want our neighbours to stay well, but not at the cost of us remaining submerged.”Story continues below this adThe CM highlighted the state’s own initiatives, including the Swasthya Sathi scheme, which provides health coverage of Rs 5 lakh to families.Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd