West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. file | Photo Credit: PTI
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on 22 April claimed that some people were trying to divide the country by playing hate politics and said she was ready to lay down her life but “will not allow the country to be divided”.
Addressing a gathering for Eid prayers on Red Road in the city, Ms Banerjee urged people to unite and ensure that the right-wing BJP party is defeated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
“Some people are trying to divide the country and doing politics of hatred… I am ready to give my life, but will not allow the country to be divided,” she said without naming anyone.
Accusing the saffron camp of trying to change the country’s constitution, Ms Banerjee said “she will not allow NRC to be implemented in West Bengal”. It has been the TMC’s stand that the National Register of Citizens and the Citizens Amendment Act, which confers citizenship rights on minorities from neighboring countries, were not needed and that existing citizenship records and Acts were sufficient.
“I am ready to fight the money power (her political opponents) and (central) agencies (which her party alleges are unleashed on TMC for political purposes), but I will not bow my head,” she said.
He said, “Within a year, elections will be held to decide who will come to power in our country. Let us promise that we will unite and fight against the divisive forces. We must ensure that we all come together in the next election.” Vote for him in the election.” If we fail to protect democracy, everything will end.”