Rajnath Singh Or Nitin Gadkari Could Have Been PM: Mamata Banerjee's Dig At BJP

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a veiled swipe at BJP leaders, suggested that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh or Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari could have been the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, her nephew and TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee claimed that at least 10 more BJP state legislators were eager to join the TMC.

Addressing a rally in Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency, Mamata Banerjee remarked, "You (Rajnath Singh) are surviving at the mercy of Modi. You are saluting Modi daily to save your chair. Nitin Gadkari could have been the PM today." She added, "There would have been no problem...at least there would have been a gentleman in the chair who knows minimal courtesy."

Mamata's comments came in response to Rajnath Singh's criticism of the TMC government for alleged corruption and anarchy in West Bengal during an election rally in Murshidabad. Singh had referenced the attacks on Enforcement Directorate officials during a raid at a TMC leader's residence in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas district, questioning how the state government could allow such atrocities on women.

While Mamata Banerjee and Rajnath Singh had previously shared a cordial relationship, Singh's recent remarks led to a strong response from the TMC supremo.

Meanwhile, Abhishek Banerjee, TMC general secretary and Mamata Banerjee's nephew, hinted at potential defections from the BJP in West Bengal. He claimed that at least 10 state legislators from the saffron party were interested in joining the TMC and were in contact with him.

Rajnath Singh and Mamata Banerjee had previously maintained a cordial relationship from their time as ministers in the central government under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. However, Singh's recent criticism prompted a strong response from Banerjee, highlighting tensions between the two parties ahead of the elections.

Abhishek Banerjee also added fuel to the fire by claiming that the BJP was attempting to destabilize parties, but their efforts would not succeed. He mentioned instances where TMC had retaliated against BJP defections, indicating that more BJP leaders were considering joining the TMC.