Sacrifice petty interests to oust BJP, Mamata Banerjee urges Opposition

Kolkata: Reiterating her call for Opposition unity, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday urged all the anti-BJP parties to “sacrifice their petty interests” and come together to oust the Modi government from power in the Lok Sabha elections.

Her assertion came after senior CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat vowed to foil Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s victory from Wayanad in Kerala where he is contesting the polls.

Ms Banerjee however underlined that she has been “optimistic about the People’s Front”. Lambasting the BJP-led NDA rule the Trinamul Congress supremo described it a “one-man show” in an oblique reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Before flying to Vizag in the morning, Ms Banerjee said at the Kolkata Airport, “There have been many ‘United India’ rallies. But this is not only going to be a ‘United India’ rally. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu invited us on behalf of Telugu Desam Party.”

She added, “That is why I am going to Vishakhapatnam to extend our solidarity. We have many known people there. A meeting is there. But I will return on Monday morning after attending it.”

Asked about the Opposition unity, the Trinamul chief reasoned, “I am always optimistic about the people’s front. A turbulence has been underway in the country. Autocracy is prevailing everywhere. No one has the freedom of speech. Muscle power and atrocities are evident at all places.”

Continuing her tirade against the PM, Ms Banerjee alleged, “A one-man show is active instead of democracy. All the reputed institutes have been taken control of. The public sector has seen total disinvestment. Many workers are not getting salaries.

“Starting from farmers to labourers, everyone’s life is under threat. India’s independence is also in danger. So I think all have to come forward sacrificing their minor interests and vote unitedly against the Modi government,” the chief minister said.