Country needs a more responsible, sensitive govt at the Centre: Mamata

Itahar/Narayanpur (North Dinajpur): Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee said the people are fed up with a non-performing government at the Centre and the country needs a more responsible and sensitive government and not the one that creates division on the basis of religion.

Addressing twin rallies at Itahar and Narayanpur respectively under Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency here on Tuesday afternoon, she said: "For the past five years, the people have seen this non-performing government. What India now needs is a responsible and sensitive government that will provide roti, kapra aur makaan."

She also added: "Two crore people have lost their jobs, farmers have committed suicide and small traders and businessmen have been ruined due to note ban and hasty implementation of the GST. Look at the Prime Minister for the past four-and-a-half years. He was busy travelling abroad," she said. "India has never seen such a non-performing, humbug and publicity-crazy Prime Minister."

Banerjee said in 2014, Modi had introduced himself as a chaiwala and now he has become a chowkidar. "We do not need a chowkidar that protects only the interest of the rich." She added that the BJP is spreading hate politics and are trying to confuse people. Reacting sharply to the procession of Ram Navami where weapons were carried by the participants, she said: "Only the Gods carry weapons which are used to kill the demons. But humans cannot carry weapons. Do they think themselves as Gods?"

Banerjee also hit out at the RSS, saying the right-wing outfit had imbibed the "shopping mall culture", in an apparent reference to its change in dress code. Last year, the RSS shed its 90-year-old dress code and khaki shorts were replaced by brown trousers. Continued on P7