Kolkata: In a fiery outburst, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has condemned the detention of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of treating democracy as its personal fiefdom. The incident unfolded amid heightened political tensions in the national capital, where several TMC leaders were held during protests demanding justice for various grievances.
Banerjee, addressing a massive rally in Kolkata, didn’t mince words. ‘This is democracy, not BJP’s private property,’ she thundered, drawing cheers from thousands of supporters. She alleged that the central government’s actions were a blatant attempt to suppress opposition voices, especially ahead of crucial electoral battles.
The TMC MPs, including prominent figures like Kalyan Banerjee and Saayoni Ghosh, were detained by Delhi Police while staging a sit-in near the Parliament complex. Their demand? Immediate action on pending issues like flood relief for Bengal and the release of MGNREGA funds. Banerjee claimed this was part of a larger BJP strategy to intimidate her party workers.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as police barricades clashed with determined protesters. Videos circulating on social media showed TMC leaders raising slogans against the Modi government, with banners proclaiming ‘Save Democracy.’ The detentions lasted several hours, fueling outrage across the TMC rank and file.
Political analysts see this as yet another flashpoint in the ongoing TMC-BJP rivalry. With assembly elections on the horizon, Banerjee’s sharp rhetoric could galvanize her base. ‘The people of Bengal will not forget this high-handedness,’ she warned, vowing to fight back through democratic means.
As the dust settles, questions linger about the future of federalism in India. Will the center’s moves provoke more confrontations? Banerjee’s government has already written to the Election Commission, demanding a fair playing field. The stage is set for a protracted political showdown.