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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Seeks Apology From Prime Minister Narendra Modi Over’Bankim Da’Comment ; Slams New MGNREGA Norms

Addressing a TMC rally at the Ras Mela ground in Cooch Behar, Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of using funds as a weapon against Bengal and throttling rural welfare programmes out of “jealousy and hatred.” 

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Picture Credit : @ANI/X

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has  demanded an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he has insulted novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay by calling him “Bankim da”.

According to media reports,  The West bengal CM made these remarks  while addressing a rally in Cooch Behar district, Banerjee said the PM was not even born when the country achieved Independence and yet chose to address one of Bengal’s greatest cultural icons casually.

“You did not even show him the minimum respect he deserves. You should apologise for this, to the nation,” she said.

The flashpoint was PM’s reference to the author during a discussion in Lok Sabhato commemorate 150 years of the national song, Vande Mataram, written by Chattopadhyay.

TMC MP Saugata Roy objected to the use of the suffix ‘da’ and urged the PM to say ‘Bankim babu’ instead.

Modi immediately accepted the sentiment, saying, “I will say Bankim ‘babu’. Thank you, I respect your sentiments,” and asked in a lighter vein whether he could still address Roy as ‘dada’.

Targeting the BJP, Banerjee claimed that it will destroy Bengal’s culture, language and heritage if it comes to power in the state.

She also claimed that the assembly elections in the state will be declared soon after publication of the final electoral rolls following the SIR exercise, so that no one can challenge it in court.

Meanwhile  , West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee further tore up a note outlining new MGNREGA norms at a public meeting here, calling it a “valueless and insulting” diktat and vowing that the state would run its own work scheme without seeking “Delhi’s charity”.

Addressing a TMC rally at the Ras Mela ground in Cooch Behar, Banerjee accused the BJP-led central government of using funds as a weapon against Bengal and throttling rural welfare programmes out of “jealousy and hatred.”
Referring to a letter received from the Centre two days ago, she said it imposed “absurd and restrictive” conditions, including submission of a quarterly labour budget and mandatory training before employment.
“Day before yesterday, we received a letter stating that starting December 6, we must submit a quarterly labour budget. They have imposed a restrictive condition. But where is the time to show it? This is December, and the election is due early next year. Then they said training has to be provided,” she said.
“When will you train and when will you give the jobs? I say this piece of paper is valueless. We will come back to power. Under Karmashree, we are giving 70 days of work. We will increase it to 100 days. We don’t want your mercy. That is why I am tearing the note. I feel it is disrespectful,” Banerjee told the gathering.

 

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