Mamata Banerjee claims BJP's party colours being used for cricket team jerseys, metro stations
Kolkata, Nov 17: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the BJP-led central government of attempting to saffronise various institutions across the country, including the Indian cricket team, whose practice jerseys are now saffron-coloured.
Speaking at the inauguration of Jagadhatri Puja at Posta Bazar in central Kolkata, Banerjee alleged that the BJP has introduced saffron colour not only in the practice jerseys of the cricket team but also in the painting of Metro stations.
She expressed her disapproval, stating, "They are trying to paint the entire country saffron. We are proud of our Indian players, and I believe they will be champions in the World Cup. But they (BJP) brought in saffron colours there as well, and our boys now practice in saffron-coloured jerseys. The Metro stations have been painted saffron. This is unacceptable."
Without explicitly naming anyone, Banerjee denounced what she considered as partisan politics.
The TMC boss said, "I don't have problems with them erecting statues, but they are trying to turn everything saffron. I had once seen that Mayawati had made a statue of herself. After that, I hadn't heard of anything like this. These theatrics cannot always lead to benefits. Power comes and goes."
Taking a swipe at the BJP, she said the country belongs "to the Janata (people) of the nation, and not to just Janata of a party."
Her remark drew sharp reactions from the BJP, which dubbed the allegations as a "reflection of a vindictive approach."
BJP leader Rahul Sinha said, "After a few days, she might question why our national flag has saffron colour in it. We don't deem it fit even to react to such statements."
Lashing out at the Centre for withholding funds for the state, Banerjee said the BJP-led central government is prompt in spending crores on front-page advertisements but has stopped the "due funds of the state, thus depriving thousands of (MGNREGA) workers in the state."
"First, I fought with CPI(M). Now I have to fight with the party in power in Delhi," she said.
While talking about the upcoming edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit, Banerjee claimed that more than 70,000 businessmen have left the country.
"These businessmen could have invested in the country, and money could have been used here. But now they have moved out. We hope good sense prevails (in BJP leader)," she said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Demand for 3 more Deputy CMs in Karnataka: Siddaramaiah says Cong high command''s decision final
Bengaluru (PTI): With the demand to have three more Deputy Chief Ministers resurfacing in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the decision of the Congress high command is final.
Some of the Ministers have been pitching for Deputy CM posts to be given to leaders from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST and minority communities.
Currently, D K Shivakumar from the Vokkaliga community is only the Deputy Chief Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet.
"Whatever the high command decides is final," Siddaramaiah told reporters in response to a question.
A section within the Congress is said to be of the opinion that statement by the Ministers seeking three more Deputy CMs, was part of a plan by Siddaramaiah’s camp to keep Shivakumar in check, amid talks he might seek the CM post after two-and-half years of this government’s tenure, and to counter his influence both in the government and party.
Co-Operation Minister K N Rajanna, Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi and a few others -- all considered close to Siddaramaiah -- earlier this week once again raised the pitch for three more Deputy CMs.
The Congress had decided that Shivakumar will be “the only” Deputy CM amid stiff competition between him and Siddaramaiah for the Chief Minister’s post after the Assembly election results in May last year.
It was also said to be a "commitment" made by the Congress leadership to Shivakumar while convincing him to give up his claim for the CM post and to take up the role of Deputy Chief Minister.
Seemingly expressing his displeasure over the ministers' demand, Shivakumar, also state Congress chief, on Tuesday said the party would respond appropriately.
"You people (media) put in news if someone says something. Why should I say no to people who are happy (by appearing in news)... Let anyone make any demand, the party will respond to them appropriately. Simple," Shivakumar has said.
Asked whether there is a plan in the party to have more Deputy CMs, he said: "You please meet Mallikarjun Kharge (AICC president) and our in-charge general secretary or ask the chief minister."
