West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seems to have found a new affinity towards the Biharis residing in the state. On Monday, Banerjee announced two days’ holiday for Chhath Puja.

This is also the first year that Trinamool Congress has formed a separate cell in the party to meet the demands of the natives of neighbouring states.

Last month, Banerjee announced the formation of All India Trinamool Congress Hindi Bhashi Prakosht with MLA Arjun Singh at the helm of affairs and Rajesh Sinha as secretary.

Interestingly, there are special arrangements being made at the Ganga ghats for Chhath Puja celebrations, which is the biggest festival for the Bihari community.

There are one crore Biharis residing in the state and Monday’s announcement gains huge significance in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Banerjee addressed the Bihari community on Monday and said, I want to tell you again that your Chhath Puja and our Durga Puja has no difference. Your blood is red and so is mine. I appreciate your work. I believe you all are very good people, let us stay together, grow together for the sake of humanity.

Rajesh Sinha added, Approximately, one crore people from Bihar live in Bengal. They have been living here for ages. It is their biggest festival and keeping their faith and trust in mind, Mamata Banerjee has worked for Chhath Puja.

Hitting at the BJP, Sinha said, BJP only has things to say in West Bengal, they can’t really do anything here because the party right now is only looking for ways to save its name so that in the upcoming Parliamentary elections they win a few seats and establish their supremacy here. But we feel that the way Mamata Banerjee has given recognition to the Hindi-bhashis’(Hindi speakers) and the way their participation is increasing, in the coming days, the Hindi-bhashis’ will definitely come out in support of Mamata Banerjee.

BJP, too, hit out at the Trinamool Congress saying TMC is playing all its cards, including putting up of hundreds of posters of Mamata Banerjee at the ghats.

West Bengal BJP President, Dilip Ghosh said, "Fifteen days of holiday was declared during Durga Puja and two days for Chhathh Puja. This increase in holidays is an incentive to people and we are not being able to give Dearness Allowance to people, people are not getting an increment in their salary. So going by these people, work less, take more holidays, but don’t ask for more money. How will the state develop like this?

Ghosh added, The state government is busy organizing amusement programmes like mela’ and khela’, but there is no productive programme. There is no sector that is receiving an investment for job creation.