Mamata Banerjee Urges Respect for State Leadership, Criticises PM and Election Commission

By A Staff Reporter

Bardhaman: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asserted that the dignity of State leadership must be respected by the Centre, while also cautioning the Election Commission against perceived partiality.

Addressing a gathering in Bardhaman, Banerjee remarked, “I respect the Prime Minister’s chair, but just as I respect his chair, he should also respect ours. Why would they say that everyone in Bengal is a ‘thief’? That is why they stopped the funds. Uttar Pradesh is the biggest thief. In Maharashtra and Bihar, your double-engine government is the biggest thief.”

On the Election Commission, she added, “I respect the Election Commission, I salute them, but please do not become BJP’s lollipop. Otherwise, the people of the country will not forgive you.”

Banerjee also touched upon cultural and linguistic issues, stating, “We didn’t create Bangladesh, you did. If our language is the same, what can we do? Bengali is an international language.”