Banerjee in a freewheeling conversationw ith Zee 24 Ghanta.
In an exclusive interview to Zee 24 Ghanta, Mamata Banerjee said that although BJP will emerge as the single largest party (with help from regional allies), it will not get more than 150 seats. Mamata Banerjee said that BJP will drop seats in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan among others.
According to Mamata Banerjee, a non- BJP government will be formed in the Centre after May 23. She however parried the question regarding her bid for the top post saying that all those details will be worked out post elections.
1. On campaigning
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I have done more than 100 meetings and padyatras. I wish everyone the best.
2. Road to Delhi
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In 2014, BJP came to power on the basis of 73 seats out of 80 in UP. But they won’t get more than 13 or maybe 17 this time . If SP-BSP get 55, then the picture is pretty clear.
3. On Modi vs Mamata
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We are fighting the election together. Modi is creating fear and controlling everything. It’s not that all political leaders are not speaking up. The CBI is unleashed on them as soon as they open their mouth. But I am not afraid of that; someone will have to speak up. You can say that I am speaking up from Bengal. We must dislodge BJP and save the nation. I had said in 2018 that BJP will be finished in 2019.
4. On backing Congress
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See, BJP will be the single largest party as they will get 125-150 seats. Congress too will bag 125-130 seats. When we add the count of regional parties, the number will be more than BJP. Such a situation will arise that all regional parties will be together, and then support of the Congress can be taken.
5. We will decide together
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All of us will decide who would be the leader and who would run the government. All parties need to make sure that there’ll be a stable government. The Modi government has been a disaster — economy, agriculture, employment, everything — a disaster. Who can run the government well will have to be seen?
6. Modi dangerous to Constitution
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He (PM Modi) himself doesn’t follow the Constitution; he wants to change it. Professor Amartya Sen has been removed from Nalanda University. CBI, ED — everything has been changed. We do not believe in Modi’s but Ambedkar’s Constitution. Modi is no less than Ravan.
7. What to expect from a possible Grand Alliance government?
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We will take everything into consideration. I cannot give any opinion alone. We will work together.
8. It’s become like a super Emergency
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Lot of money has been spent. Helicopters are being used. Every agency and institution has been used against us. It’s an Emergency-like situation. It’s like a super Emergency. They are sitting with boxes of money.
Modi bigger Hitler than Hitler
You tell me, while the cars of chief ministers are checked, why don’t they check the PM’s car? Is he any different? He’s a Fascist, he’s a Hitler bigger than Hitler himself. Therefore, the people of the country will give them an answer. What have they done in the last five years? Nothing.
9. Demonetization upped terrorism
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Demonetization has upped terrorism by 260 per cent, 12,000 farmers have committed suicide, the economy has been destroyed. The first four years they enjoyed themselves, and in the last six months they are criticising others.
10. Is the alliance solid enough?
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Nothing has been decided yet. After the results on May 23, you will come to know everything.
Of course. As the day nears, we are getting stronger. We will make a stable government.
