Mamata Banerjee: BJP biggest extortionist, PM Modi on a selling spree

Mamata Banerjee also repeated her “Mir Jafar” jibe at Suvendu Adhikari, who quit the Trinamool Congress for the BJP. Purba Medinipur is the pocket borough of the Adhikari family.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a public meeting in Purba Medinipur on Saturday. (Source: Twitter/@BanglarGorboMB)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday took aim at the BJP-led Central government’s disinvestment programme, branding the party the biggest “extortionist” in the world.

During a day of hectic campaigning in Purba Medinipur district for the eight-phase Assembly polls beginning March 27, Banerjee also repeated her “Mir Jafar” jibe at Suvendu Adhikari, who quit the Trinamool Congress for the BJP. Purba Medinipur is the pocket borough of the Adhikari family.

At a rally in Khejuri, the Chief Minister said: “It has saved us. Whenever I wished to visit Khejuri, Nandigram or Kanthi, they never allowed me to come. As if this was their ‘zamindari’. Now, no one can stop me from coming.”

Story continues below this ad

Banerjee also spoke at a rally in Haldia. “BJP is the biggest tolabaj (extortionist) in the world… Just see the amount of money it collected under the PM-CARES Fund. If the people of Bengal want peace in the state, then the Trinamool Congress is the only option,” she claimed there.

Banerjee alleged that the BJP is stealing crores from the people by “selling” the Railways, BSNL and public sector banks. The Chief Minister, who has been in a wheelchair after suffering injuries earlier in the month during campaigning, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of embarking on a “selling spree”.

The TMC chief accused the BJP of orchestrating riots, killing people and torturing Dalit girls.

Canada, UK and Australia formally recognise a Palestinian state

World8 min ago

The UK, Canada, and Australia have recognized Palestine as a state, going against the US and Israel's opposition. British PM Starmer aims to revive peace without Hamas and hostage release. Canada and Australia also recognize Palestine, condemning terrorism. Over 145 UN members recognize Palestine, with France likely to join soon.

View all shorts

Live Blog