Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sacked former Trinamool leaders who left to join the BJP
Highlight
- Mamata Banerjee was campaigning in East Bardhaman, Murshidabad districts
- JP Nadda flew to Tarapith before moving to Lalgarh in Jhargram
- Ms Banerjee attacked the center for farmers’ protest against the new farm laws
Calcutta:
A defiant Mamata Banerjee invoked the spirit of the Royal Bengal Tiger on Tuesday, as she and BJP chief JP Nadda exchanged spikes while campaigning ahead of the Assembly elections.
“I am not weak. I am strong. I will walk with my head held high until the moment I live. I will live like a real Bengal tiger until the moment I live,” roared Ms Banerjee, even as high-level leaders: the the most recent of which was former Minister of Forests Rajib Banerjee – he resigned and joined the BJP.
The Chief Minister was in the East Bardhaman and Murshidabad districts and JP Nadda flew to Tarapith in Birbhum before moving to Lalgarh in Jhargram, a former Maoist hotbed where the BJP appears to have gained some ground.
In Murshidabad, Ms Banerjee also referred to Mir Jafar, the military commander of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daullah, who sided with the British against them at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and said that Bengal would never forgive traitors.
In Tarapith, Mr. Nadda said: “(Low) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman NidhiRs 14,000 have been distributed to 11 crore farmers … but 73 lakh farmers in Bengal were denied. Yes ModiHee comes to power, at our first cabinet meeting we will make sure this money is delivered. “
Ms. Banerjee’s response was scathing: “BJP is just lying. They say Mamata is blocking farmers’ money (but) Krishak Bandhu (a state plan for farmers) money? Now tell Modi to send the money he promised. We have sent names (but) they don’t send the money … they lie every day. “
He also attacked the center for the farmers’ protest against the new agricultural laws.
“See what’s going on in Delhi. They’ve put nails in the way to stop farmers. Those bills will kill farmers. Adani will get everything … they have to repeal everything,” he said.
BJP chief JP Nadda addressed the rallies in Tarapith and Lalgarh on Tuesday.
Ms. Banerjee also had a message for former Trinamool leaders who have joined the BJP in recent weeks. He referred to the popular Bengali saying “dushtu gorur che phanka gowaal bhalo“, which translates to:” An empty barn is better than one full of naughty cows. “
“There is no reason to try to scare me … to think that I am weak. Those who want to join the BJP should go. There is no place for such people in our party,” he declared.
To this Rajib Banerjee replied: “There will be no cows left in his barn for a few days.”
The chief minister also responded to allegations about the safety of women in her state.
Nadda had previously stated that “domestic violence is highest in Bengal … rape is the most common here and human trafficking is the largest share as well.”
“In Bengal, the freedom that our mothers and sisters have … does not exist anywhere. The peace and respect that they have does not exist anywhere else. Go see what is happening in UP,” said Ms. Banerjee .
Mr. Nadda also accused the Chief Minister of appeasement, referring to the Bengal government allowing the Muharram celebrations during the shutdown, but not allowing the Saraswati Puja celebrations.
“They lie about Hindus. Aren’t we Hindus? But we are not saying that just because we are Hindus we will hate Muslims … We are not saying that just because we are Hindus we will hate Buddhists … which is not in our culture,” replied the Mrs. Banerjee.
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