Puri: Coming down heavily on the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister and the All India Trinamool Congress party’s chief Mamata Banerjee today alleged the saffron party is indulging in ‘divisive’ politics.
Talking to newsmen at the Circuit House in Puri where she is stationed since last evening while on a three-day Odisha visit, Mamata said, “They (BJP) cannot do anything constructive except creating rift among people from different religion and regions. However, they will not be successful in their motive as we won’t let that happen.”
On the FIR filed against the Trinamool leaders in connection with the Narada chit-fund case, Banerjee said, “These decisions are taken with evil intentions and politically motivated. The TMC is against BJP on ideological grounds. But they are fighting against us at a personal level. We will take up the challenge and handle the matter legally.”
Talking about the relationship between the two states West Bengal and Odisha, Mamata said, “In my state, every person worships Lord Jagannath with much reverence and ensures visiting Puri at least six times a year. For us Kali Ghat, Dakhineswari Mandir or Jagannath Mandir, are all the same. In Digha or Puri, the beaches are equally captivating.”
“I am a Hindu but not the one who defames religion. When the Hindu belief talks about ‘move forward taking all along’ ideology, the saffron party is acting against the ideology and defaming Hindutva, ” she added.
Also read: Mamata meets ailing Trinamool MP in Odisha
She has sought an appointment from the CMO to meet Naveen Patnaik. ''I will meet him tomorrow and leave for West Bengal thereafter.”
Countering Mamata’s charges, BJP national spokesperson and West Bengal In-charge Suresh Pujari said, “Why did she think of visiting Lord Jagannath now. Is it because she has panicked after the CBI has started probing the Saradha and Narada chit fund scams.”
Expressing his displeasure, Pujari also referred to the potato crisis in Odisha when Mamata had not cooperated at all. “During that time, Mamata was the only one who mounted troubles for Odisha,” Pujari added.