‘To silence me, you have to kill me’: Mamata Banerjee attacks BJP amid TMC crisis

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of systematically targeting Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders and workers. She also declared that anyone seeking to silence her or destroy the TMC would first have to “kill” her.

In a video message, Banerjee ended her silence over the recent wave of rebellion within the party and accused the BJP of relentlessly trying to intimidate TMC leaders and workers. "To silence me, you would have to kill me. Yes, you didn't spare any effort on that," she said.

‘TMC won’t be intimidated’

The TMC supremo alleged that several senior leaders from her party had been attacked and humiliated, specifically naming Mahua Moitra, Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee.

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"Whom haven't you assaulted? You attacked Mahua, Abhishek, Kalyan. You attacked my home," she said.

Her remarks come as the TMC faces its most serious internal crisis in recent years. A rebel faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has claimed the support of around 60 MLAs, while at least 20 dissident legislators have merged with the relatively unknown Tripura-based NCPI.

Banerjee also alleged that many of her party colleagues were being subjected to degrading treatment while in custody.

"Many of my colleagues are languishing in lock-ups, forced to sleep on the bare floor. Some are being paraded with ropes around their waists and shackles on their legs; some have had their heads shaved; others have had vile substances thrown at them. It is shameful even to mention it," she said.

Maintaining that such actions would not weaken the party, Banerjee said the TMC would continue its political battle and refused to be cowed down by what she described as intimidation.

Mid-day meal controversy

Referring to the BJP government's decision in West Bengal to replace eggs with vegetarian alternatives in mid-day meals at select government schools under a pilot project, Banerjee accused the ruling party of neglecting more pressing public welfare concerns.

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"Children do not get eggs in their mid-day meals. Yet you are busy with such grotesque antics. This was never the culture of Bengal. We too were in power for 15 years. But I have never made the police carry out such acts," she said, accusing the government of placing political vendetta above the welfare of schoolchildren.