Kolkata: A couple of fortnight earlier than Opposition bloc ‘INDIA’ holds its third assembly, in Mumbai, leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is a part of the alliance, used a programme in Kolkata to undertaking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the subsequent prime minister.
“We’ll defeat the BJP. Mamata would be the prime minister,” state City Growth Minister Firhad Hakim, believed to be an in depth aide of the CM, mentioned Sunday at a conclave of TMC supporters who run a social media web page referred to as ‘FAM4TMC’.
“She (Mamata) scolded me earlier than the 21 July Shahid Diwas (Martyrs’ Day) rally in Kolkata. She instructed me to not say it. I instructed her she will silence me however how will she silence the hearts of the individuals of Bengal,” he added.
Hakim additionally knowledgeable TMC staff and supporters that the CM had instructed him to attend the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh learn out a banner on the stage: “Bolche Banglar janata, pradhan mantri hok Mamata (individuals of Bengal are saying they need Mamata as PM).”
Asserting that he was talking in a private capability and “from the guts”, he mentioned Mamata must be the subsequent PM as she was the driving drive behind the INDIA alliance.
“Mamata Banerjee is a seven-time MP, four-time Union minister and three-time CM. She has the very best expertise in politics. Trinamool is aiming to win all 42 Lok Sabha seats from Bengal this time. Vote in order that that is the final time PM (Narendra) Modi unfurls the tricolour this Independence Day. Vote in a means that on 15 August 2024, Mamata Banerjee addresses the nation from Purple Fort,” Ghosh instructed the crowds.
Hakim mentioned that “each speech that Modi delivers has the point out of Mamata Banerjee. It’s because he believes that solely Mamata Banerjee can take him on”.
Reacting to the TMC leaders’ statements, BJP chief Suvendu Adhikari slammed the celebration and took a dig on the newly-formed INDIA alliance.
“The primary contender of the PM Put up from the “Particular 26” I.N.D.I Alliance has thrown her hat within the ring!!! Regional TMC Occasion’s Social Media & IT (FAM) Conclave; attended by among the bigwigs of the Occasion, together with Cupboard Ministers, have made their official stance clear. Not solely is it written on their Backdrop – “Mamata for PM” in a daring method, however they’re actually spelling it out,” he wrote on social media Monday.
“Surprise how the opposite PM aspirants of their Alliance would gulp it down! With a pinch of salt perhaps…Or…The motion begins. Maintain on to your popcorn guys, the knives & daggers are about to be out,” he added.
Talking to ThePrint Monday, TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta, who had additionally attended the conclave, mentioned that what the celebration leaders had introduced Sunday was not the official line.
“The CM herself has mentioned she doesn’t need the (PM’s) chair, and that’s the celebration line. What was mentioned on stage was the private view of those leaders, as they’re additionally TMC staff and help Mamata Banerjee,” he added.
At a 21 July gathering in Kolkata, amid heavy rain, Mamata had declared that she didn’t need the PM’s chair, and as a substitute wished to defeat the BJP.
“As we speak, no matter struggle takes place within the nation, it can happen underneath the banner of I.N.D.I.A. Bharat will win, we don’t look after the chair, we don’t want any chair. We’re talking clearly, we need to defeat the BJP,” she had mentioned.
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‘TMC social media warriors doing nice job’
With the bio that reads ‘social media influencer’, the FAM4TMC web page on social media platform X has 259.5k followers, however shouldn’t be a verified account. The conclave was held close to Mamata’s residence.
Whereas TMC insiders name the FAM4TMC web page an “unofficial IT cell” of the TMC wherein the CM’s “kinfolk additionally play an lively position”, celebration spokesperson Riju Dutta referred to as it “a platform fashioned by TMC supporters”.
“We as leaders are invited and we be part of such programmes (conclave) in our private capability,” he instructed ThePrint, including that it was an try “to enthuse TMC’s social media warriors who don’t maintain any celebration submit however are residents who help the celebration and who’re combating the misinformation being unfold by the BJP on-line”.
Hakim, on the conclave, thanked the FAM4TMC. “Our era didn’t know find out how to function Fb however at the moment the social media is the one instrument to succeed in out to the world,” he mentioned.
“When the BJP first got here, they surrounded us with their social media outreach, and I received scared. I instructed Mamata Banerjee that the BJP is pulling the youth by its social media marketing campaign. Now I’ve learnt to scroll, and I see TMC social media warriors doing a fantastic job,” he added.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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