'Understand the language': Mamata explains 'slap' remark for PM Modi

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee's "slap" remark against Narendra Modi resonated in battleground West Bengal on Thursday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benerjee. AFP Photo (File)

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Thursday denied having said that she will slap Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The clarification comes after Modi at his rally in Bankura raked up the "tight slap" remark made by Banerjee on Tuesday. Modi had told the gathering that Banerjee had said she would slap him, which would actually be a blessing for him. "I heard that Mamata didi wants to slap Modi; I respect you, call you didi (elder sister). Your slap will be like blessing to me," Modi said with a hint of sarcasm. Furious at being repeatedly termed as a party of 'tolabaj' (extortionists) by the prime minister, the TMC supremo had said, "Narendra Modi should get a tight slap of democracy." Banerjee Thursday insisted she never said she will slap Modi. Speaking at a rally at Simulia in Purulia district ahead of the sixth phase of polls, Banerjee elaborated that by "slap of democracy" she meant the peoples' mandate expressed through their votes. "He (Modi) is saying that I have said I will slap him. Arrey that's the slap of democracy. Try to understand the language," Banerjee said. "Why should I be slapping you (the PM). I am not that kind of a person. What I understand is democracy. Slap of democracy means that the mandate people will give by casting their votes," the Trinamool Congress supremo said. Modi and Banerjee were engaged in a vicious war of words in their poll rallies in the recent past, heating up the electoral battle during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. (With inputs from PTI)