'Send Rebel MLAs To Bengal, Will Give Them Good Hospitality': Mamata Banerjee Amid Maharashtra Crisis

The chief minister's statement comes after TMC workers protested outside the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati where the rebel Maharashtra MLAs have been staying.

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing political crisis in Maharashtra, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of trying to topple the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in an “unethical manner”. Citing the prevailing flood situation in Assam, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said the BJP government in the state should focus itself on dealing with the calamity and leave it to her government to host the rebel Shiv Sena MLAs.

“Amid floods in Assam, why are Maharashtra MLAs being sent to that state to disturb affected people,” news agency PTI quoted Banerjee as saying.

She further said, “Send Maharashtra MLAs to Bengal, we will extend good hospitality to them.”

It is to be noted that the chief minister's statement comes after TMC workers protested outside the Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati where the rebel Maharashtra MLAs have been staying.

“After Maharashtra, they will topple other governments also. We want justice for people, constitution,” she said.

As per reports, Mamata Banerjee's nephew, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee also took a jibe at Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and said the priorities of the Assam government are clear as the government is "busy following orders from Delhi to play host to rebel MLAs".

“I wish CM @himantabiswa cared more about the flood-affected victims and less about toppling the Maharashtra Govt. PRIORITIES are clear for a REMOTE CONTROLLED SUBSERVIENT Govt,” Abhishek tweeted.

However, Himanta dismissed the criticism saying that he would be happy if Assam becomes an international political epicentre which will help the state earn revenue.

"We should be happy as it will bring in revenue. We will earn through GST and we need it during these difficult times of devastating floods in the state," a report by Hindustan Times quoted Sarma as saying.

According to reports, this is perhaps the first time MLAs from a western state were flown to a northeastern state, following their rebellion against the party leadership. Although the exact number of rebels that moved to Guwahati could not be confirmed, the flight reportedly carried 89 passengers, including the crew, as per PTI.