Kolkata: Alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was trying to break the Trinamool Congress (TMC), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday dared the saffron party to arrest her if they wanted. Her remarks came shortly after the police denied TMC permission to hold a sit-in at Rani Rashmoni Avenue on June 2.
Defiant Stand on Protest
In a Facebook video, Banerjee announced, "Trinamool will protest on June 2 even without police permission, a mic, or a stage. We will protest in Delhi if they don't let us protest in Kolkata." She emphasized her readiness to face arrest, stating, "If I am not allowed to hold a dharna, I will sit wherever stopped. I am ready to be arrested." She highlighted that 10,000 TMC workers have already been arrested.
Allegations of Targeting Bengal
Banerjee accused the police of trying to break a political party. She warned, "If you don't let me protest democratically here, I will go to Delhi. We have an INDIA bloc meeting as well." Referring to elections in other states, she claimed, "Nowhere else were these things happening. You have targeted Bengal and made us lose through SIR and logical discrepancies. In 177 constituencies, polls were rigged and machines were hacked. I am a sufferer myself. I was forced out of the counting centre when I was winning by 13,000 votes."
Attempts to Break TMC
Banerjee alleged that the BJP is employing tactics to dismantle the TMC. "To break TMC, they are giving money to some and threatening others with ED and CBI, arrests, and detention of their children. People are unable to speak out of fear and are being forced to break the party. Many BJP netas used to stay in touch with me. I have stood beside them at all times. But today, you are spewing lies."
Criticism of Police Conduct
The former chief minister criticized the police, stating, "The police's job is to be a protector. But cops were going to municipalities and telling representatives to resign. I am not blaming them entirely. We never did this during our tenure. Before the attack on Abhishek, all his security was withdrawn. My security was also withdrawn. They have removed security cover of all netas who face threats."
Legal Battle Ahead
Banerjee mentioned that the Calcutta High Court will reopen on June 7 and they will continue their legal fight. "I have gone to court to fight a case before. We are collecting all documents and helping everyone legally. The HC had ordered all those displaced to be returned home, but police are not implementing that. Our functionaries are being beaten up with cops standing as spectators."
Reaffirming Party Strength
Despite the challenges, Banerjee expressed confidence that the departure of some functionaries for personal interests would help rebuild the organization. "TMC will emerge stronger from the crisis. Why are people anxious? Kolkata and Bengal have been handed over to lumpens," she alleged.
