Arrest me if you want, but the movement will not stop: Mamata challenges BJP
Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee has launched a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that her party is being systematically targeted and attempts are being made to break it using police and central investigative agencies.
She made these remarks on Monday while protesting the denial of permission for a rally in Kolkata’s Rani Rashmoni Avenue. Mamata alleged that the BJP is misusing the police and central agencies to weaken the Trinamool Congress. She also said that intimidation through arrest threats would not be able to suppress her movement.
Mamata said that even though permission was not granted for the scheduled protest on 2 June at Rani Rashmoni Avenue, the demonstration would still go ahead. She added that even without microphones or a stage, party workers and supporters would participate in the protest. She further warned that if they are not allowed to protest in Kolkata, they would take their agitation to Delhi.
She also said that if she is blocked anywhere, she would sit there and start a dharna which is sit-in protest. She even stated that she was ready to be arrested if necessary.
According to her, nearly 10,000 TMC workers and supporters have already been arrested on various pretexts. She claimed that the right to democratic protest is being taken away and that such a situation is not seen in any other state in the country, arguing that West Bengal is being specifically targeted.
Mamata also raised allegations regarding elections, claiming that there were irregularities in multiple constituencies, inconsistencies in the voting process, and instances of tampering with voting machines. She said she herself had been a victim of such issues in the past, alleging that despite being ahead during vote counting, she was once removed from a counting centre.
She further alleged that money is being used to lure TMC members and that central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are being used to intimidate party leaders. She also claimed that even family members of party leaders are being pressured.
The TMC leader also questioned the role of the police administration, alleging that elected representatives are being pressured to resign in some cases. She further claimed that the security of opposition leaders has been withdrawn, and that the security detail of TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was reduced before an attack on him.
She said the party would continue its legal battle in the Calcutta High Court, adding that even court orders are not being implemented in many cases.
However, she said she is not worried about some leaders leaving the party. According to her, those who leave for personal gain will create space for rebuilding the organisation. Mamata Banerjee asserted that the Trinamool Congress would emerge stronger after overcoming the current crisis.
