Stung Mamata hits back, calls Modi Expiry Babu'

Kolkata: Stung by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sharp salvo, Trinamul Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee mocked him on Wednesday as “Expiry Babu”, and also vowed to not to treat Mr Modi as the PM any longer. Challenging him to face her during a debate, the West Bengal chief minister sought to reply to his volley of questions on her rule in the state.

“I was listening to Pradhan Mantri Babu who is now Expiry Babu. From now, I will not call you the PM as your government has already expired. So I will call him ‘Expiry Babu’. You claimed in Siliguri that our government does not work for the poor. What did you do in the last five years at the Centre? Explain it,” she said, referring to Mr Modi, while addressing her Lok Sabha campaign rally at Dinhata in Cooch Behar, in North Bengal.

Exploding in fury, Ms Banerjee said: “And if you really think what you claimed is right, join me in a debate directly. You will ask questions and I will answer with proof. Don’t lie daily. The PM’s post is not for lying. It is about decency. It is not about being chowkidar and spreading canards. Keep in mind always. You are spreading lies of 560 inches with a chest of 56 inches. What do you think of yourself?”

Bantering over Mr Modi’s rally at the Brigade Parade Ground being covered by giant hangars, she alleged: “Those who are money sharks organise their rally in hangars. After May 19, they will have to remain in hangars forever.” Criticising him over the launch of “Namo TV” and a cinema ahead of the polls, the Trinamul chief complained that her flight was stuck mid-air due to his movement.

“We could have arrived here 40 minutes before time. But Babu is the PM. He is such a big leader! When we were coming from Kolkata, our flight was stranded until he reached Kolkata from Siliguri. It is normal while going in the same direction from here. But our routes were opposite. When we were about to land at Bagdogra airport in five minutes, a message came that the airport was closed for VVIP movement,” she alleged.

Ms Banerjee claimed: “We had to wait for 40 minutes because only one person has security in India. I do not want talk about anyone’s security. He can get as much security as required. But it has to be ensured that the public is not harassed. We have no objection to your high security. We want your security be increased four times. You will only move with your security because you have no contact with the people. But it is not fair that road, air and other services will remain closed for your rally.”