West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday threw a ‘open Sanskrit mantra-chanting challenge’ at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. “Puja does not only mean sporting a tilak, Amit [Shah] babu and [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi babu. Come have a competition of mantras with me. Let’s see who knows more Sanskrit mantras,” Mamata said, at a rally in Kolkata.
Mamata Banerjee has been involved in a war of words with the BJP and the Prime Minister which doesn’t seem to end at all. Ever since the Balakot air strike, Mamata Banerjee has been targeting PM Modi.
While Mamata was accused of purposely blocking Amit Shah’s entry into West Bengal to headline a BJP rally, the saffron party’s demand to declare the state a ‘super sensitive’ zone, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) said, amounted to insulting the people of the state.
“They talk of political murders. 99 per cent TMC leaders were killed. Is it because we are fighting against Modi and Amit Shah?” Mamata said.
Mamata Banerjee also appeared in the rally at Kolkata’s parade ground in January with leaders of 22 Opposition parties. The joint rally took on PM Modi, Amit Shah and the BJP in whole for its oppressive government rules.
Voting for the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal will be scheduled in seven phases on April 11, 18, 23, 29, May 6, 12 and 19 whereas the counting of votes will take place on May 23.