BJP demons on 5-star luxurious Rathyatra with people’s money, projecting themselves as gods: Mamata Banerjee at Raigunj

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders were projecting themselves as gods, but were actually demons and people should not be deluded. She was speaking at a public meeting in Raigunj of Uttar Dinajpur district. The BJP has called for a Paribartan Yatra across West Bengal, seeking change in power at the state for the coming Assembly elections. A third phase of the yatra is to be flagged off by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Cooch Behar on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Banerjee said that the BJP leaders have no knowledge of Bengal’s culture. She also said that only deities can sit on chariots. Mocking the BJP’s Paribartan Yatra, a political rally, the Bengal chief minister said, “Are they bigger than deities Jagannath, Balaram, Subhadra? Only deities are made to sit on chariots”.

She referred to the Mahabharata and Ramayana and said that even Ravana used a chariot while brutally attacking Sita and taking her away, and even Krishna was on a chariot while a war was being fought. Banerjee perhaps wanted to indicate that chariots did not just represent godliness and peace, but also war and brutality, equating BJP’s rally with violence.

At the Raigunj rally, she further said that the BJP leaders were distributing money among the electorate. She questioned their fund sources and said that even the rath being used was the party’s Paribartan Yatra was a “10-star vehicle” with all luxurious amenities. “They are sitting on luxury with people’s money, Banerjee said, referring to the air-conditioned vehicle the BJP is using for their Paribartan Yatra.

“The BJP promises but does not deliver. We have already delivered and therefore we seek votes to continue to serve the people. The value of humanity is higher than money,” the Trinamool chief said.

To counter the flush of funds that the BJP had, Banerjee said, it is important to understand the temporary nature of life and detachment from money. “I am thankful for a roof over my head, with clothes I have and for having a bed. One should wonder what one will do with so much money?” she asked, adding that she was glad that the greedy from her party and left and joined the BJP.