1. Mamata Banerjee criticizes BJP over the saffron color of the Indian cricket team’s practice kit.
2. The Bengal Chief Minister voices disapproval during an event in Posta Bazar.
3. She accuses BJP of a trend of renaming and painting everything saffron.
Kolkata, Nov 18: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the BJP expressing her disapproval of the saffron color of the Indian cricket team’s practice kit just two days before the World Cup final. During the inauguration event for several Jagaddhatri Pujas at Posta Bazar, Mamata Banerjee stated, “Renaming everything… painting everything saffron.”
She sarcastically remarked, “We are proud of our Indian players, and I believe they will be World Cup champions. Usko bhi gerua bana diya (That too they have turned saffron)! Their practice colors are now saffron. I have never seen anything like this.”
Mamata Banerjee had taken a dig at the Prime Minister in connection with the name of the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 6. Without naming him, she had said, “I don’t get stadiums built in my name. I need no publicity…. I do not need it.” She continued her critique, emphasizing that she didn’t feel the urge to have anything done in her name.
Mocking the BJP-led Centre’s fondness for publicity, she stated, “Those whom the common people remember will be truly remembered by one and all…. Have you noticed? Even the Metro stations are being painted saffron.”
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Mamata Banerjee brought up BSP chief Mayawati’s statue in Uttar Pradesh, saying she had never heard or seen anyone else attempt such things in India. She criticized the BJP for doing things in the name of NaMoste (apparently an allusion to the Prime Minister) and urged them to do it in the name of the country or a leader from any part of India.
She emphasized the transient nature of political power in a democracy and accused the BJP of neglecting the art of winning people’s hearts. She urged people to stay united, listen to none, and criticized the BJP for prioritizing winning elections by hook or crook.
Mamata Banerjee ended her speech by asserting that Bengal would again lead the country. She had previously expressed displeasure with the BJP-controlled cricket board’s handling of key tasks during this World Cup, including the allocation of stadiums and distribution of tickets.
