Won't let India become Pakistan or Taliban: Mamata

Kolkata, Sep 16 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asserted that she will not allow country to turn into Pakistan or Taliban.

Alleging that saffron party has claimed Bhabanipur constituency in south Kolkata will become Pakistan if TMC wins by-poll from re, Banerjee accused BJP of practising divisive politics.

Trinamool Congress supremo is contesting by-election from Bhabanipur.

"I don't like policies and politics of BJP. y only follow politics of dividing people on religious lines. In Nandigram, y h said it would become Pakistan (if TMC wins). In Bhabanipur too, y are saying it will turn into Pakistan. This is shameful," Banerjee said while campaigning.

Banerjee lost to Suvendu hikari of BJP from Nandigram during assembly election held earlier this year. She has to win this by-poll to retain her chief minister's post. "I want my country to be strong and will protect my morland with all my might. We don't want India to become anor Taliban (ruled state). I will never allow my country to turn into Pakistan," she said while talking to voters in area.

Criticising state BJP leership for taking exception to her recent visit to a mosque in area, Banerjee said saffron camp has a problem with her visiting a Gurudwara too.

"I have visited a mosque; I have visited a Gurudwara also; and BJP has a problem with both. I don't bring religion into politics, unlike BJP leers who only understand language of divisive politics," she said.

On sizeable Hindi-speaking population of Bhabanipur constituency, TMC boss said she would stand by m through thick and thin.

"I never differentiate among communities. It is BJP which destroys brorhood and social fabric among communities," she said.

To woo area's business community, Banerjee said she was first politician in country who h opposed demonetisation in 2016.

"I was first to oppose demonetisation. I know kind of harassment business community has gone through during demonetisation. I used to regularly visit Burrabazar ( business hub of Kolkata) and talk to business community members," she said.

Hitting out at saffron camp over its "ploy" to sell off country's assets, she said those were not personal property of BJP.

" government is trying to sell off entire country. Railways, airports and ports.... y want to sell everything off. Can you sell soil of country?" Banerjee said.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in August announced a Rs 6 lakh crore National Monetisation Pipeline that will look to unlock value in infrastructure assets across sectors ranging from power to ro and railways.

Banerjee said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak to World Health Organisation (WHO) to ensure that Covaxin is recognised so that those who availed that vaccine against Covid-19 can travel abro.

Later, Banerjee visited Laxmi Narayan Temple in area and offered puja. She was also seen offering 'Arati'.

A metropolitan constituency, Bhabanipur is home to a large number of Gujaratis and Sikhs, mostly into business, living alongside Bengalis.

Banerjee, who is herself a resident of Bhabanipur constituency, h won seat twice in 2011 and 2016 but shifted to Nandigram, to dare her former protege and now a BJP leer Suvendu hikari in his home turf. Though Banerjee powered TMC to a resounding win for a third straight term in office, she lost in Nandigram.

Banerjee is required to win a seat in state assembly by November 5 in conformity with constitutional provisions to continue as chief minister.

After her defeat in Nandigram, state cabinet minister and TMC MLA from Bhabanipur Sovandeb Chattophyay vacated seat to allow Banerjee to contest from re.

Banerjee is pitted against BJP's Priyanka Tibrewal and CPI(M)'s Srijib Biswas for September 30 by-poll. Congress has decided not to field a candidate against her.

votes will be counted on October 3. PTI PNT NN NN