Mamata Banerjee on Narendra Modi's ‘sent by God’ remark: 'We'll build you a temple, offer dhokla'

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi by suggesting they could build him a temple and offer him traditional offerings.

Published on: May 29, 2024, 15:08:38 IST

By HT News Desk

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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent “sent by God” remark saying God should not be in politics or instigate riots.

West Bengal Mamata Banerjee addressing a public rally in South 24 Parganas district. (HT Photo)

“One says he (PM Modi) is the God of the gods. One leader says Lord Jagannath is his devotee,” Mamata Banerjee said at a rally in Barasat.

"A person who is God should not be in politics. God should not instigate riots. We will make a temple for him and offer him prasad, flowers, sweets and if he wishes, we will even offer him dhokla."

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Banerjee's remark came in the backdrop of PM Modi’s interview with a national TV channel where he reportedly said, “Until my mother was alive, I used to think I was born biologically. After her demise, when I look at my experiences, I am convinced that I was sent by God. This strength is not from my body. It has been given to me by God. I’m nothing but an instrument that God has sent.”

BJP's Puri Lok Sabha candidate Sambit Patra also sparked controversy last week by saying that Odisha's most revered deity "Lord Jagannath is a devotee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi". He, however, later clarified that it was a slip of the tongue and he wanted to mean that the prime minister was an ardent 'bhakt' (devotee) of Lord Jagannath.

Read: BJP aims to make inroads in West Bengal, Odisha in last phase of Lok Sabha polls

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also been taking potshots at Narendra Modi over his "sent by God" remarks. On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi said that PM Modi was sent by his "parmatma (his God)" to help industrialists, Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani and not poor.

Addressing a rally in Deoria, Rahul Gandhi said that the God in whom PM Modi has faith hadn't sent him to serve farmers and labourers.

"Everyone else is biological but Narendra Modi ji is not biological. Modiji uper se tapak kr aai hai. Unko parmatma ne Hindustan bheja hai. He has been sent by his 'parmatma' to help Ambani and Adani but 'parmatma' has not sent him to help the farmers, labourers and poor people. If 'parmatma' had sent him then they (parmatma) would have asked him to help the poor and the farmers. Yeh kaise 'parmatma' hain? Yeh Narendra Modi ji wale 'parmatma hain (What kind of God is this? This is PM Modi's God)," Rahul Gandhi said.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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