‘Putting Everyone In Jail To Win Polls’: Mamata Hits Out At BJP Over Hemant Soren’s Arrest

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is resorting to “imprisoning opposition leaders”, citing the recent arrest of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case.

Addressing a public distribution programme in Bengal’s Santipur, Nadia district, Banerjee claimed that the BJP’s strategy involves incarcerating political opponents to secure victory in the upcoming general elections.

During her speech, Banerjee expressed her resilience in the face of potential imprisonment, stating, “You can intimidate and put everyone in India in jail… You can also put me behind bars, but I will surely come out. The BJP is putting everyone in jail only to win the election.”

The arrest of Hemant Soren occurred following a lengthy seven-hour interrogation by the ED related to an alleged land scam connected to a money laundering case.

Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing them of being the “zamindar of thieves” and highlighting issues such as the rising price of gas cylinders and delayed funds for projects like the Gramin Awas Yojana.

“We (opposition party leaders) all are thieves and you (BJP) call yourself a sadhu. You have hiked the price of gas cylinders, and not released funds to prepare roads, for the Gramin Awas Yojana… You are nothing but a zamindar of thieves. Today you are in power that is the reason you are moving around with central agencies.. what will happen tomorrow?” Banerjee said. 

Regarding the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Banerjee vehemently opposed its implementation, claiming that the BJP is threatening to impose it. She dismissed the BJP’s stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as a political ploy to divide people.

While expressing her party’s willingness to form an alliance with the Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, Banerjee stated that the Congress rejected her proposal. Consequently, she announced that her party would contest alone in the elections.

“We wanted an alliance, but the Congress did not agree. They have joined forces with the CPI(M) to assist the BJP in the elections… We are the one who can fight the BJP in the country,” Banerjee asserted.

Confident that the BJP will face defeat in the elections, Banerjee outlined her post-election strategy, emphasizing that regional parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), would collaborate to form the government at the Centre.

Banerjee also addressed the disqualification of TMC leader Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha in December, hinting at her potential candidacy in the general elections. She expressed certainty that Moitra would secure victory based on the support of the common people.

Furthermore, Banerjee cautioned locals against accepting identity cards issued by the Border Security Force (BSF) in bordering areas. She urged the BSF to focus on border management and the prevention of illegal activities.

Accusing the Centre of withholding funds due to the state under various schemes, Banerjee announced her plan to commence a 48-hour dharna (sit-in protest) in Kolkata starting Friday, with different units of her party continuing the protest until the outstanding dues are paid.