Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee took on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Wednesday, saying, “Gujarat’s leader has a communal face”.
The West Bengal chief minister, however, did not name her Gujarat counterpart while going on the offensive.
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She unveiled her party’s national agenda with a rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, but the much-hyped joint show of strength with social activist Anna Hazare did not materialise. Hazare was not present at the rally.
Unfazed, Banerjee said she did not care who came for the rally and who did not not. "Whether somebody supports us or not, we are going to shake up Delhi."
She added, “We have started from Bengal, but do not forget that Delhi too is my state, so is Punjab, so is Maharashta…” She recited lines from Sare Jahan Se Accha (an enduring patriotic poem) to showcase her inclusive credentials.
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“I don’t want individual power. I want people to be empowered. We won’t allow the people to be bulldozed.”
Banerjee, who left the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition government in September 2012, added, “Whether it is the BJP, Congress or the CPM, they enjoy and sell the country. We cannot spend money like the rich, but we can fulfil promises.”
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“I don’t want individual power. I want people to be empowered. We won’t allow the people to be bulldozed.”
Banerjee, who left the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition government in September 2012, added, “Whether it is the BJP, Congress or the CPM, they enjoy and sell the country. We cannot spend money like the rich, but we can fulfil promises.”