New Delhi: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee erupted in anger on Thursday, blasting the BJP-led central government for detaining TMC MPs in what she called a direct assault on democratic principles. ‘India is a democracy, not the BJP’s personal estate,’ she declared, rallying her supporters against what she perceives as authoritarian overreach.
The drama began when a group of TMC parliamentarians, protesting outside Parliament, were taken into custody by security forces. Led by firebrand MP Mahua Moitra’s allies, they were highlighting Bengal’s unresolved issues, from central fund delays to alleged discrimination in disaster aid.
From the heart of Kolkata, Banerjee live-streamed her response, her voice laced with indignation. She recounted how her party’s MPs were peacefully demonstrating when ‘goons in uniform’ swooped in. ‘This is Modi’s India, where opposition is crushed,’ she alleged, referencing past instances of alleged vendettas.
Background checks reveal the protests stem from long-standing disputes. TMC accuses the BJP of withholding over Rs 1.2 lakh crore in dues, crippling development in opposition-ruled states. The detentions, lasting into the evening, prompted TMC to file complaints with higher authorities.
Opposition parties echoed Banerjee’s sentiments, with leaders from Congress and Samajwadi Party terming it ‘fascism in disguise.’ BJP countered, saying the actions were to maintain law and order amid unruly protests. ‘No one is above the law,’ a senior BJP spokesperson remarked.
Banerjee concluded her address with a call to arms: ‘Bengal will rise against this tyranny.’ As tensions simmer, this episode underscores deepening national divides. With polls approaching, expect more such skirmishes. Democracy, it seems, is the ultimate battleground.