PANAJI: In one of the sharpest criticism of the Congress, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is currently in Goa on Saturday slammed the grand old party accusing it of making Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP more powerful because of its non-seriousness.
Her remarks came on the day when former Congress President Rahul Gandhi is also on a day visit to the state. Banerjee is on a three-day visit to Goa to expand the base of her party. READ & WATCH: Leander Paes, Nafisa Ali And Mrinalini Deshprabhu Join Trinamool Congress Ahead Of Goa Elections 2022
She made the remarks while responding to a question whether she will form an alliance with Congress in Goa to fight against the ruling BJP.
Banerjee said, “I cannot say everything right now because they (Congress) are not interested in politics… Because of the Congress, Modiji will become more powerful.”
"For me it's about doing India Proud!" – @Leander
Hear from Leander Paes who joined our family to strengthen @MamataOfficial's hands in the fight for REAL DEMOCRACY! pic.twitter.com/l71TrkyTSx
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) October 30, 2021
“Why should the country suffer because someone cannot make a decision?” she said.
Hitting out at the Congress, The Trinamool Congress supremo said, “Congress had a chance. Rather than fighting the BJP, they ran against me in my home state.”
She further said that she wanted the regional parties to be powerful. “We want the federal government to be well-structured. We should strengthen states because if states are strong, the centre will be strong as well. Enough is enough, Delhi ka dadagiri ‘amka naka’,” she added.
On Saturday, renowned Tiatrist Francis De Tuem also joined Trinamool Congress in presence of Banerjee. On Friday, former tennis player Laender Paes, actor Nafisa Ali and Mrinalini Deshprabhu had joined the party in presence of the Trinamool supremo. This comes days after the Trinamool Congress had been successful in getting Congress leader and former Goa Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro into the party fold. Faleiro resigned from Congress on September 27 this year. He joined the Trinamool Congress in Kolkata along with several other party leaders.
After resigning from the party, Faleiro had stated that he joined the Trinamool Congress after suggestion from poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who had been instrumental in Trinamool Congress’ victory in West Bengal Assembly elections this year.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday also interacted with the fishermen community in the state and said that his party will not allow Goa to become a polluted place. “We will not allow it to become a Coal hub. We are protecting the environment for everyone,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi stressed that assurances that his party gives in its election manifesto is not just a commitment but a “guarantee”.
“I want to make very clear what is the difference between the BJP and the Congress. The Congress believes in uniting people of India and taking them forward. For us, every single Indian has the right to be given the space that he requires,” he said.
Dear fisherfolk brothers & sisters, our interaction today was a sea of emotions. Together let’s save the spirit, the environment and the culture of Goa. #GoaWithCongress pic.twitter.com/LE5klTYS2f
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 30, 2021
He asserted that Congress’s response to the hatred spread by BJP is love and affection. “So, wherever they spread anger hatred and division, we spread love and affection,” he said, ading, “I am not here to waste your time or my time. Just as your time is important, my time is also important. The commitment that we will make to you in manifesto is not just a commitment but a guarantee.”