That’s why you have fielded fewer women than us, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hits back

KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “address to the nation” on Saturday was an election campaign speech, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday, describing the move as “cowardly, hypocritical and fork-tongued”.

Compared with TMC, she said, BJP nominated fewer women for the Bengal polls, and many of them have been fielded in “losing” seats. This proves how much BJP is actually interested in “championing greater female representation in politics”, Banerjee said in response to Modi’s criticism of her party for opposing amendments to women’s reservation bill.

“Where is your love for women? When was the women’s bill passed? On Sept 25, 2023, we all supported it. It received more than 450 votes, yet why has it not been implemented? Modi babu, give an answer! Amit Shah, give an answer!” the CM said while addressing a rally in Tarakeswar.

During the day, the CM spoke at three rallies in Hooghly and East Burdwan and held a roadshow in Kalna before interacting with residents of Bhowanipore, her constituency, in the evening. At each event, she referred to the issue of reservation of seats for women in legislatures.

In a post on X, the CM said, “And Mr Prime Minister, the next time you address the nation, have the courage to do so from the floor of Parliament, where you are subject to scrutiny, challenge and accountability. What you did yesterday was cowardly, hypocritical and fork-tongued.”

At a rally on Sunday, Banerjee said, “Are you telling lies in our name? You added ‘delimitation’ to the women’s bill — the aim is to break Bengal. It means you know you’ll lose the next election and so, you are planning to increase the number of seats (in Lok Sabha) from 543 to more than 850. If you truly love women, why haven’t you implemented the women’s reservation bill that has already been passed... We are completely with women on the women’s bill.”

Referring to woman MPs from TMC, Banerjee said, “Not 33%, but 37% of our MPs in Lok Sabha are women. In Rajya Sabha, 46% of our members are women. What is the percentage among your party (BJP) MPs? You give tickets to very few women. You field them in seats where you will lose. You do not care for women,” the CM said.

Targeting the PM, Banerjee said he was illegally using govt machinery to conduct political campaign. “Yesterday, you gave a speech on Doordarshan and told lies. Honurable PM, I am challenging you. How can you, as Prime Minister and in the middle of an election in a state, use govt machinery to perform illegal acts and conduct political campaign?” she asked. “You give speeches on Doordarshan and to school students. Campaign leaflets have been sent from BJP to CBSE schools asking for support,” she said. Banerjee alleged that BJP had brought in “goons” from other states. “Two retired people have come, wicked people. They are threatening and intimidating DMs. Our people are being raided by ED every day. Why is this being done during an election?” she asked.

“You had said that if elected to office, you would transfer Rs 15 lakh to people’s accounts. Did you give that money? You have to return that money. Otherwise, you should resign, on moral grounds,” the CM said. “The (BJP’s) fall of ’26 has begun. If you target Bengal, we will target Delhi,” she said.


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