West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of allegedly using SIR to remove legitimate voters and termed him as ‘infiltrators’. He even called Modi the “biggest infiltrator”.
Addressing a gathering here in celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr, the Chief Minister raised questions on the Prime Minister’s foreign trips and claimed that this then leads to incidents like communal riots and deletion of names of genuine voters from the SIR of the voter list on the basis of speculations of infiltrators.
She said, “We will not give up our rights in front of Modi ji. He goes to Saudi Arabia and shakes hands there, it is his wish. I respect all countries, but I am proud of my country. This message of peace and brotherhood should reach the world. But when you shake hands abroad, it seems that you have forgotten everything, but when you return to India, the Hindu-Muslim debate starts again. Then you talk about erasing the names.” They call people infiltrators. I would say that you yourself are the biggest infiltrator.”
In his address the Chief Minister further declared that the primary objective of the Trinamool Congress is to oust the BJP from power in the state and save the country from the influence of the party.
Mamta Banerjee said, “The desire for freedom is now in our hearts, let’s see how much strength is there in the killer’s arms. Make yourself so high that before every destiny, ask God himself and tell him what is your wish.”
Ahead of the state assembly elections, the West Bengal Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on the Centre’s ruling party BJP over the SIR issue, declaring that she will continue the fight against SIR and will not let Prime Minister Modi snatch away the rights of the people. He reduced BJP to a party of goons and thieves.
Banerjee said, “People’s names were removed from SIR. For this I went from Kolkata to Delhi, from Calcutta High Court to the Supreme Court. I hope that people’s rights will be protected. I stand with everyone in Bengal, across all castes, communities and religions. I will continue this fight. We will not let Modi ji snatch our rights.”
He said, “You are trying to control our government by force, you want to impose President’s rule. Still, we will not be afraid. Those who are afraid, they die. Those who fight, they are successful in life. BJP is a party of thieves and goons, a party of traitors. There are also traitors who take money from BJP to distribute votes. I will tell them that what happens if the accused wants bad, the same thing happens. Whatever is approved by God.”
Earlier, the state Chief Minister launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led central government, accusing them of administrative interference and raising concerns over governance during the election period.
Banerjee said while speaking in Kolkata during the launch of the Trinamool Congress party’s manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly elections.
He alleged that forces from the border areas were attempting to bring money and arms to incite unrest and riots in the state, which could lead to the imposition of indirect President’s rule. He called on the people of Bengal to protect the unity of the state and oppose efforts that threaten peace and democracy.
This comes at a time when West Bengal is gearing up for the Assembly elections, which are scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, and the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
There are a total of 294 assembly seats in West Bengal. Elections in 2021 were held in eight phases. This time too, Mamata Banerjee will contest from Bhabanipur seat, where she will face BJP leader and West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari.