Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused BJ of sowing the seeds of division between communities in the state.
Addressing a rally in support of TMC candidate Sudip Bandyopadhyay in Kolkata North, Banerjee pointed to a recent meeting where the Rajasthan chief minister interacted with Marwari traders in the city, highlighting the financial strength of the BJP. .
"BJP is a well-funded party, which has enough resources to engage in business from any community. Individuals have the freedom to associate with anyone they want, and I have no objection to that. However, I would not like to ask: Did Bengal not respect you all these years, whenever you needed help? In Bengal, every resident, irrespective of their community, is considered one of us? It is,” he said.Banerjee condemned the BJP for promoting division on the basis of language, religion and ethnicity and urged people not to succumb to such tactics. He said, "BJP always insists on Bengali-non-Bengali, Hindu-Muslim principle. They create cracks. Don't fall into their trap."
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of spreading lies that Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja are not being allowed in Bengal, Banerjee said, every citizen of the state knows that this is a white lie.Banerjee challenged him to chant Saraswati Puja and Jagannath Puja mantras, questioning his familiarity with the rich cultural heritage of Bengal.
Highlighting Modi's lack of understanding about the ethos and customs of Bengal, Banerjee invited him for a public debate on various issues.
She proposed that Modi would be accompanied by ten officers and a teleprompter while she would speak casually to the media and the public. Banerjee challenged Modi to face unscripted questions from the media, which she alleged he avoided at press conferences.
Addressing a rally in support of TMC candidate Sudip Bandyopadhyay in Kolkata North, Banerjee pointed to a recent meeting where the Rajasthan chief minister interacted with Marwari traders in the city, highlighting the financial strength of the BJP. .
"BJP is a well-funded party, which has enough resources to engage in business from any community. Individuals have the freedom to associate with anyone they want, and I have no objection to that. However, I would not like to ask: Did Bengal not respect you all these years, whenever you needed help? In Bengal, every resident, irrespective of their community, is considered one of us? It is,” he said.Banerjee condemned the BJP for promoting division on the basis of language, religion and ethnicity and urged people not to succumb to such tactics. He said, "BJP always insists on Bengali-non-Bengali, Hindu-Muslim principle. They create cracks. Don't fall into their trap."
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of spreading lies that Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja are not being allowed in Bengal, Banerjee said, every citizen of the state knows that this is a white lie.Banerjee challenged him to chant Saraswati Puja and Jagannath Puja mantras, questioning his familiarity with the rich cultural heritage of Bengal.
Highlighting Modi's lack of understanding about the ethos and customs of Bengal, Banerjee invited him for a public debate on various issues.
She proposed that Modi would be accompanied by ten officers and a teleprompter while she would speak casually to the media and the public. Banerjee challenged Modi to face unscripted questions from the media, which she alleged he avoided at press conferences.
