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Debjit Mukherjee: TMC supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee defended her ‘Jihad against BJP’ comment at India Today Conclave East 2022.
She said “There are some local languages. Sometimes, Hindi and Urdu become one language. Marathi and Gujarati are similar, likewise, Bangali and Assamese languages have a lot of similarities. I understand Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi… on our side, in our local language, we said that in protest against the BJP. ‘Jihad’ in our local language means strong protest”. In addition, she also used the term ‘BJP-created drama’ when asked about the post-poll violence in West Bengal.
At India Today Conclave East 2022, she also slammed Eknath Shinde and the BJP government at Maharashtra over using money to buy MLAs. She said “I believe this government will not continue as the BJP has misused its power. It’s an unethical and undemocratic government. They might have formed the government, but they have not won the hearts of the people”.
She also attacked suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and said “Nupur Sharma controversy is totally a conspiracy…hatred and divisive policy of the BJP. Why was she not arrested? Arrest her because you cannot play with fire. In our country we are all together. If you don’t trust the people then how will you trust yourself? I am for all the communities Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists. It is dividing my country and affecting our image. I cannot see my country bowing down morally to others because of a particular party. Some countries have boycotted our items. This is a matter of shame”.
Regarding 2024 Lok Sabha polls, she said “The misuse of power by the BJP is bulldozing people and democracy. But in 2024, the people of India will bulldoze them out of power. The 2024 Lok Sabha polls will not be between BJP and the opposition, rather it will be BJP versus people of India. That is why I am saying that those polls will not be the election for selection but election for rejection of BJP”.
