Mamata Banerjee: BJP rath yatra is a lavish Ravan yatra

The Asian Age.

Metros, Kolkata

She alleged that the BJP would become a “statue” in an oblique reference to its efforts to build statues.

Mamata Banerjee (Photo: File | PTI)

Kolkata: Describing the BJP’s proposed “Rath Yatra” (Chariot Run) as “Ravan Yatra” in the state, Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced “Pabitra Yatra” (Purification Run) to counter the saffron party’s rally, likely to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. She alleged that the BJP would become a “statue” in an oblique reference to its efforts to build statues.

“That is not a Ratha Yatra. That is rather Ravan Yatra. Do you know why? Because that is not a chariot. That is a five-star hotel cum car for fooding lodging and travelling and money. It is a lavish Ravan Yatra. The day Ravan Yatra is held, our boys and girls will take out Pabitra Yatra next day on the same route to purify it and uphold peace and unity,” she told the extended core committee meeting of the Trinamul at Netaji Indoor Stadium.

Ms Banerjee claimed, “Their chariot is a political and fake one. Their chariot is for triggering war. It is neither of Shri Krishna nor of Lord Jagannath. Always remember theirs is political chariot but we have the people’s path. Do not worry about Ravan Yatra. Ravanas always bring evil power with them. But they can not be the symbol of goodwill.” She mentioned that the BJP’s programme should be ignored.

Lambasting the BJP the chief minister bantered, “Their job is to change the names and destroy the institutions like CBI and RBI, divide the country and indulge in divisive politics. They do not have any work now except temple, communal propaganda, NRC and statue. One day they will become statue while building statues. The country will be saved when they will become statue.”

The Trinamul chief alleged that the BJP would misuse the election machinery to send 40 per cent of the EVMs as defunct. “They are the history changer, name changer, note changer but not game changer. They are the country’s danger. It never happened in our country the way they are misusing the power. The BJP’s target is to make 40 per cent of the EVMs defunct,” she alleged.

Ms Banerjee told the meeting, “It has been found in Maheshtala assembly by-poll. 60 machines became defunct. The administration officials might tell you to ignore it. But you should not overlook it. You have to keep an eye on the EVMs.” Ms Banerjee predicted the party’s mega rally on January 19 at the Brigade Parade ground would be the “turning point” where, she expected, all the anti-BJP parties’ leaders would come together.

“I have already received confirmation of attending the event from most parties except two. So January 19 will show the way how to bell the cat. This will be the turning point. Everyone is coming to Brigade that day,” she said. The Trinamul chief informed that her party would field its candidates in Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Jharkhand and Bihar in the Lok Sabha polls.

She also made a clarion call to those who deserted the Trinamul. “Those who were with the party during crisis but have been away from us due to misunderstanding, should be called into our fold. If you can not do this, then I will do it,” Ms Banerjee observed while cautioning that the party leaders who would not stand by the common people but would dream of becoming MLAs and MPs through lobbying would be thrown out.

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