Mumbai, Dec 1 (UNI) West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called upon intellectuals and civil society to oust BJP from power at the Centre.
Addressing a gathering of editors of prominent newspapers, actors, writers, directors and activists here, Banerjee urged then to unite and bowl BJP out of power, and emphasised the ideals of democracy and secularism with the example of West Bengal.
She also mentioned how her government has been running various welfare schemes in education, health, art and culture, and even bolstering businesses to generate jobs.
She said civil society has a very big role to play. "Unfortunately, we are facing the cruel, undemocratic, unethical attitude and being tortured by one right-wing political party, BJP. If you want to fight them, let us be united, wherever you are,” Banerjee said.
She said the battle is not about who will be the next Prime Minister. The battle is to save democracy; wash out BJP politically and then we will decide the next PM, Banerjee said.
She also attacked Congress for their failure to effectively challenge the BJP. In such a situation, she said, regional parties need to unite against the saffron party. Meeting with any Congress leader was not her agenda during her visit to Mumbai.
However, she met Aditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena on Tuesday, and NCP leader Sharad Pawar today to explore possibility of unity among opposition parties.
UNI XC SHK1841