Kolkata: Taking her attack against the Centre’s demonetisation measure to new heights, chief minister Mamata Banerjee vowed on Monday to dislodge Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the seat of power unless the decision scrapping the high-value currency notes was withdrawn.
“Today, I take this pledge that whether I live or die, I will have PM Modi removed from power. Dictators like him do not have any place in Indian politics,” Ms Banerjee said while addressing a gathering at Esplanade, where Trinamul Congress’ rally against demonetisation had reached after starting its journey from College Square.
She also took a dig at Mr Modi’s Mann Ki Baat radio address on Sunday where he had pitched for a cashless economy.
“The entire country is suffering. There is no money in banks, ATMs. So far 80 people have died due to the hardships caused by demonetisation. But Narendra Modi is having a sound sleep and giving lectures on taking the country towards cashless economy. You (Mr Modi) are a faceless and baseless leader of this country,” Ms Banerjee told the gathering.
The CM also threatened to organise a protest demonstration outside the PM’s residence if the decision was not rolled back. She said she will not give up her fight and won’t be intimidated by the PM who was “acting like God”.
“He (Mr Modi) has been intimidating everyone opposing him… He sends CBI, ED, Income Tax to muzzle voices of protest. But he can’t muzzle my voice. Even if I am left alone, I will fight until the end. I will not stop until and unless this decision is rolled back,” she said, and drew parallel from the Singur movement, which, she pointed out, had similarly drawn reactions of failure from everyone. “But they were proved wrong. I will not allow anyone to deprive people of their rights,” she said.
The huge rally witnessed the presence of several celebrities, and enthused by it, the CM herself raised slogans like “Modi sarkar hai hai” and “tanashahi nahi chalegi”.
Ms Banerjee, who had staged a dharna in Delhi on November 23 and met President Pranab Mukherjee Sunday on the issue, is scheduled to address a meeting in Lucknow on Tuesday and in Patna the following day.
Her party MPs have vociferously raised the issue in Parliament, even as Ms Banerjee has been calling upon opposition parties to unite against the Centre on this issue.
