BJP condemns Mamata's 'ashamed of being born Indian' remark

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her "ashamed of being born an Indian" remark and said that such statements was insulting to all those who voted her to power.

"Mamata, after enjoying power for decades where people showed love, and affection and supported her all through her political career, now is paying them back by saying such things. She is insulting all those who supported her all through these years," BJP leader S. Prakash told ANI.

A day before, Mamata stoked another controversy by saying, "Every religious group must live in harmony and not lift swords on each other. It is a matter of great shame that I was born on this land."

Mamata, reportedly, was reacting to a remark passed by BJP leader Shyamapada Mondal who had accused her of practicing politics of appeasement and indulging in theatrics.

"Only Bengal can stop the wave of the intolerance that is going on in the country in the name of religion. I feel bad when I see that this is my country," Mamata said.

Banerjee also said that democracy was at stake in the hands of the BJP and that she would not sit silent on the matter.

"In the name of religion intolerance is rising in the whole country. It is only Bengal that can keep intolerance in check and show the way for overcoming it," she added.