‘Leaderless’ Bangladesh in mafia’s grip, says Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA: Bangladesh has been left “leaderless” by a “mafia” that thrives under a “weak” administration, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said in a TV interview aired Friday. She said Bengal, which shares the longest land border with Bangladesh, wasn’t the only state at risk from the continued political and social instability in that country.

“If someone starts a fire at Bengal border, even Bihar and Odisha won’t be spared. I want all neighbours to live in peace along with us,” she told News18 Bangla, urging the Union govt to keep its channel of communication with Bangladesh open and ensure that “everyone is saved and everyone there can live in peace”.

Earlier this week, Mamata requested PM Modi to ask UN to send a peacekeeping force to Bangladesh and evacuate “persecuted Indians”. She also stood up for Iskcon Bangladesh amid calls for a ban on the organisation following arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Das on charges of sedition.

The CM said that despite everything, she wanted Bangladesh to get over what has been a difficult period. “Bengal shares a common language and culture with Bangladesh. There are geographical boundaries but the heart has none. Whatever be the political compulsions (in Bangladesh), despite this (talk of) retribution, I want all (in Bangladesh) to stay well.”
On whether turmoil in India’s neighbourhood indicated that Centre hadn’t done firefighting, Mamata said, “I will never speak on bilateral issues publicly. It’s my India.”

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