There was a confrontation between Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and Mamata Banerjee over the violent protests after the rape and murder of a female trainee in Kolkata. Mamata Banerjee said in a statement that if Bengal burns, Assam and Delhi will also burn. Now Himanta Biswa has taken Mamata’s statement to task. Biswa said, Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us your red eyes.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “Didi (Mamata Banerjee) how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us your red eyes. Don’t try to set India on fire with your politics of failure. Speaking divisive language does not suit you.” Assam BJP leader Piyush Hazarika also targeted the Bengal Chief Minister, saying, “She cannot threaten us. I strongly condemn her. She cannot control law and order in her state and is threatening us. This will not happen in Assam, I assure you.”
Union minister and Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar also said the remarks did not come from a leader holding a constitutional post but from someone with an “anti-national” mindset.
What did Mamata Banerjee say
Speaking at the foundation day celebrations of the Trinamool Congress’ student wing, Mamata Banerjee attacked the BJP over the violence during the Bengal bandh and the protest march to the state secretariat. “Some people think this (movement) is similar to the protests happening in Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh, they speak like us (Bengali). Our culture is also similar. However, Bangladesh is a different country,” Mamata Banerjee said.
Banerjee further said, “Prime Minister Modi, you are trying to create unrest in Bengal through your people. But remember, if you burn Bengal, Assam, Northeast, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi will also burn.”
It is noteworthy that during the 12-hour bandh called by the BJP on Wednesday, party workers clashed with TMC supporters and the police in many areas of Bengal. BJP leader Priyangu Pandey claimed that TMC supporters threw bombs and fired at his car in Bhatpara.
