Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Mamata Banerjee writes letter to 15 Opposition leaders, calls on them to unite against BJP

 West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has written letters to 15 non-BJP leaders highlighting "assaults" by the BJP and the Modi government on democracy as well as constitutional federalism in India.


est Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday wrote letters to top Opposition leaders, calling on them to unite against the BJP and defend democracy in India.

"I am writing this letter...to convey my serious concerns over a series of assaults by the BJP and its government at the Centre on democracy and constitutional federalism in India," Mamata Banerjee wrote in the three-page letter.

The Trinamool Congress chief sent the appeal to 15 non-BJP leaders including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK chief MK Stalin, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav as well as NC chief Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.


In her letter, Mamata Banerjee raised the recent passing of the controversial National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill by both Houses of Parliament, calling it "an extremely grave development". "The NCT Bill is a direct attack on the federal structure of the Indian Republic, as enshrined in the Constitution. It also makes a mockery of the letter and spirit of democracy since it disempowers the people of the national capital," she wrote.

"You will agree that what the BJP has done in Delhi is not an exception but is increasingly becoming a rule," Mamata Banerjee said.

She elaborated on the Centre's 'interference' in the functioning of non-BJP state governments by using Governorsagencies like the CBI and ED and probe .

Mamata Banerjee also wrote about the lack of funds given to state governments as well as the shrinking space for them to voice the needs of their people.

Claiming that the BJP wants to establish a one-party 'authoritarian rule, Mamata Banerjee said, "Overall, the Centre-State relations, and also relations between the ruling party at the Centre and Opposition parties, have never been as bad in the history of independent India as they are now, and the blame for this rests squarely with the Prime Minister's authoritarian conduct."

Ahead of the second phase of polls in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee's letter, which was released by the TMC, seeks to drum up support from opposition leaders by stating how non-BJP states have suffered due to the BJP-led Centre's actions.

Calling on the Opposition to unite against the BJP, Mamata Banerjee said "I strongly believe that the time has come for a united and effective struggle against the BJP's attacks on democracy and the Constitution...We can win this battle only with the unity of hearts and minds, and by presenting a credible alternative to the people of India."

She said that talks on forming an anti-BJP alliance should be held after the assembly elections. Results for all five assembly elections will be declared on May 2.

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