Mamata Banerjee Says ‘First Enemy Is BJP’, Calls For Joint Opposition Platform

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday appealed for a united opposition movement against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), urging political parties, student groups and civil society organisations to come together both in West Bengal and at the national level. Her remarks came a day after the BJP formed government in the state following its sweeping victory in the assembly elections.

Speaking at a gathering near her Kalighat residence in Kolkata, Banerjee indicated that the TMC was also preparing for a legal challenge over the election results, while alleging intimidation and administrative targeting after the change in power.

Mamata Urges Opposition Unity Against BJP

Calling the BJP the "first enemy", Banerjee appealed to all anti-BJP forces to set aside differences and form a common platform.

"A reign of terror has begun. In such a scenario, I urge all opposition parties in Bengal, the student organisations and the NGOs to unite against BJP. A united platform can be created where all political parties that are against BJP should unite. Along with the national parties, I would urge the Leftists and the ultra-Leftists to unite in Bengal as well in Delhi. If any political party wants to speak to me in this regard, I am available to discuss the matter. It needs to be remembered that our first enemy is the BJP," Banerjee said.

Her statement came while the BJP government was being sworn in at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground, while the TMC chief marked Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary with a smaller programme in Kalighat.

TMC Preparing Legal Battle Over Election Results

Banerjee said senior lawyers and opposition leaders had already reached out to her as the party weighs its next legal steps following the defeat.

"Don't worry. We will fight this battle. Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi have also called me. Along with them, Prashant Bhushan and Menaka Guruswamy are also there with us in this battle. I am a lawyer myself. We have several other leaders like Kalyan Banerjee who will fight this battle. We know how to fight," she added.

The TMC supremo also alleged that the BJP, Election Commission of India and CAPF had jointly manipulated the counting process. Despite the defeat, Banerjee had earlier refused to resign as chief minister after the BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, while the TMC was reduced to 80 seats.

Claims Of Administrative Restrictions After Change In Power

Banerjee further alleged that facilities available to her as chief minister were abruptly withdrawn after the election outcome.

According to her, cellular services she used as CM were suddenly discontinued and authorities granted permission for Tagore birth anniversary celebrations at three different venues in the Kalighat area.

She also said several national opposition leaders had contacted her following the election setback.

"All national leaders of the opposition have contacted me. I have spoken to Sonia ji, Rahul Gandhi, Kharge ji, Uddhav Thackeray & Tejashwi Yadav. Akhilesh Yadav himself came here. I have also spoken to Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal," she said.

BJP Says It Wants To Focus On Governance

The BJP dismissed Banerjee's remarks, saying the new government was focused on development and governance rather than political confrontation.

"We don't want to waste our time by making comments and taking interest in those who have lost their relevance in Bengal's politics. There is a lot of work to do for the development of Bengal. They have always wanted to fight. They may do whatever they want. We want to do something constructive," BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said.

Meanwhile, Banerjee also updated her social media profile on Saturday, changing her designation from "Chief Minister of West Bengal" to "Chief Minister of West Bengal (15th, 16th and 17th Vidhan Sabha)" after facing criticism over not revising the bio earlier.