Mamata Banerjee Demands Apology from PM Modi for Insulting National Icon Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
Image Source: Internet
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called out Prime Minister Narendra Modi for disrespecting national icon Bankim Chandra Chatterjee by referring to him as 'Bankim da.' Speaking at a rally in Cooch Behar district, Banerjee said that even if Modi apologizes, he won't be forgiven for insulting the nation's culture, history, and freedom movement. The incident occurred when Modi was recounting the rise of the Swadeshi movement in Parliament, referring to Chatterjee as 'Bankim da.' TMC MP Sougata Roy immediately corrected him, saying that 'da' is not an appropriate term to use. The TMC also staged a silent protest inside Parliament's central hall. Banerjee also stepped up her criticism against the Centre for stopping funds to the state. She tore a document that she claimed was a copy of the Centre's communique on the MGNREGA scheme, calling it 'valueless.' The Centre has imposed restrictive conditions on the scheme, which has resulted in a loss of 118 crore man-days for the state. The TMC has launched its own scheme, Karmashree, which has created over one billion man-days. Banerjee said that the state has spent ₹2,700 crore to support 5.9 million people, and they don't need the Centre's mercy. The BJP has hit back at Banerjee, saying that she is silent on the remarks made by A Raja, DMK MP. However, Banerjee has claimed that the assembly election in the state is likely to be announced immediately after the publication of the final electoral rolls in February, to prevent any legal challenge to the fresh voters' list.
