NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not “hurt” her, saying it would make her “dangerous,” and alleged that Bengali-speaking people were facing harassment in states ruled by the BJP, the governing party at the Centre.“One person came and said the government supports the Bangla language, but that’s not true. Even Bengali people are being hurt for speaking Bangla in other states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. If you hurt me, I will become very dangerous,” Banerjee said, addressing PM Modi.
She also claimed that the ongoing electoral roll revision in the poll-bound state is causing people to “suffer.”“In the name of SIR (Special Intensive Revision), you (PM Modi) are making people suffer. Shame on you. Election Commission, this is not your work,” the Trinamool Congress chief remarked.Earlier this week, Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of “snatching away” people’s voting rights while simultaneously celebrating National Voters’ Day (January 25). In a post on X, she wrote she was “deeply distressed” by the ECI’s conduct, alleging that the poll body is “harassing people” under the pretext of “logical discrepancies” in voter lists.“Election Commission of India is celebrating National Voters’ Day today, and what a tragic farce that is! The Commission—working as His Master’s Voice—is busy snatching away people’s voting rights, yet they have the temerity to celebrate Voters’ Day! I am deeply distressed and disturbed by their conduct today,” Banerjee posted.She added, “Instead of complying with the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s verdict and following rules to protect the democratic voting rights of people, the ECI is finding newer pretexts in the name of logical discrepancy to harass and deny people their electoral rights.”West Bengal is expected to hold assembly elections in April and May. Banerjee, who has led the TMC government since 2011, will seek a fourth consecutive term when the state goes to the polls.(With ANI inputs)
