A person who causes riots can never become PM: Mamata

People are wise enough and know whom to vote for, says the East Bengal CM

Mamata Banerjee
Press Trust of India Kulti (WB)
Last Updated : Apr 04 2014 | 11:30 PM IST
In the sharpest attack on BJP Prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee today alleged that a person who caused riots could not become the Prime Minister of the country. "Paisa deke publicity ho raha hai. BJP Prime Minister banega. Jo danga karta hai, woh Prime Minister kabhi nei ban sakta (A lot of money is being used for publicity. Those who indulge in riots can never become Prime Minister," Banerjee said speaking in Hindi at an election rally here. "Votes cannot be got by spending money and appearing on TV. People are wise enough and know whom to vote for," Banerjee, the West Bengal Chief Minister said without naming Modi. Alleging that BJP was a communal party, Banerjee said "BJP divides Hindus and Muslims. We will not allow riots to take place in West Bengal. We want to live in peace.We will resist those who cause riots," she said. Banerjee's vitriolic attack came in the midst of speculation in a section of the media of a possible understanding between BJP and TMC post-election.Claiming that West Bengal and not Gujarat was the model before the country, Banerjee sought to drill holes in the one propagated by Modi. "Gujarat's revenue generation growth is 15 per cent and that of Bengal 31 per cent. Whose performance is better? she asked. "Child mortality rate at the all-India level is 46 per cent, in Gujarat 42 per cent and in Bengal just 31 per cent," Banerjee said.

"I would like to see how the government there can deliver development if the Centre deducts Rs 76,000 crore from its income," Banerjee said referring to her state's legacy of debt from the previous Left

Front government. Also hitting out at the Congress she claimed that it was not the Congress, but her party which could resist the 'communalism' of the BJP. "Congress cannot resist BJP's communalism. It is the Trinamool Congress which can do this. Congress and BJP operate in tandem which became evident during the passing of the Telangana bill," she said.
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First Published: Apr 04 2014 | 8:09 PM IST

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