'Khela Hobe': Mamata Says I-Day Speech By PM Modi Will Be 'His Last From Ramparts Of Red Fort'

Mamata Banerjee said that Bengal doesn't want a political position, but its only goal is to dislodge the BJP government from the Centre.

File photo of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that this year's Independence Day speech by PM Modi will be his last from the ramparts of Red Fort, reported news agency PTI.

While speaking at a pre-Independence Day programme organised by her party the Trinamool Congress at Behala, Banerjee said that the newly formed Opposition bloc INDIA will soon take the field, adding that "Khela hobe (We will play)."

Lashing out at BJP, she said, "From halting our programmes to blocking funds, BJP government is gradually destroying the essence of liberty." She stated that political freedom doesn’t exist under the ruling government.

“Political Freedom doesn’t exist under the BJP’s government.”
- Smt @MamataOfficial

From halting our programmes to blocking funds, @BJP4India is gradually destroying the essence of liberty.

The citizens of Bengal have elected us and we will spare no efforts in protecting them… pic.twitter.com/Wvaa098g2a

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) August 14, 2023

She further stated that Bengal doesn't want a political position, but its only goal is to dislodge the BJP government from the Centre. "Bengal does not want 'Kursi', it wants to dislodge BJP 'Sarkar'," she said.

Banerjee alleged that there are corruption charges against the BJP government at the Centre, citing the Rafale aircraft purchase and demonetisation of high-value notes among "suspect" deals, reported PTI.

"In Bengal, there have been a few instances of corruption against which we have taken immediate steps. However, the central government has several corruption allegations against it, be it the Rafale jet deal or demonetisation of Rs 2,000 notes," Banerjee said.

Banerjee also accused the Modi government of holding back central allocation for food projects in West Bengal.

"You (the Centre) are not giving rice to us. You have stopped allocation though you are funding it from our own money. Don't forget there is a 60:40 allocation ratio for central projects with a 40 per cent state share. If you hold back money to the projects which is our due, people will seek answer from you," she said.

She alleged that Modi has changed the 'Garibi Hatao' (remove poverty) slogan of Indira Gandhi to 'Garib Hatao’ (remove the poor people).

"This shows the anti-people nature of the Narendra Modi government which does not give poor people the right to life, the right to livelihood. They only want to crush the dreams of the poor," she said.