Mamata slams Yogi for calling Indian Army 'Modi ji ki sena'

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at her Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath for reportedly referring to the Indian Army as "Modi ji ki sena", saying it was an "insult" and humiliation for the force.

Chief Minister tweeted: "It is shocking to hear the UP CM saying that the Indian Army is the 'Modi Sena'. Such blatant personalisation and usurping of our beloved Indian Army is an insult and a humiliation. We are proud of our Army. They belong to all. People of this country must stand up and reject this statement."

It has become a trend for BJP leaders to talk about the air strikes during election campaigns despite severe criticism by the Opposition.

In Chennai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently addressed a gathering and on the backdrop of the dais, there were pictures of jawans who died in the Pulwama terror attack.

Banerjee said such blatant personalisation should be condemned. Earlier, she had alleged BJP leaders, spearheaded by Modi, are referring to the achievements of Indian Army to divert the attention of the people from core issues.

In another tweet on the foundation day of the Reserve Bank of India, Banerjee said the dignity of the RBI has diminished. She called for maintaining "the sanctity" of the central bank along with other institutions.

"On this day in 1935, the Reserve Bank of India was established. Best wishes to all the employees of @RBI on this occasion. We have seen in recent times, how the dignity of this institution was diminished. The sanctity of these high offices must be maintained," she tweeted.

The RBI headquarters was initially established in Kolkata but in 1937 it was moved to Mumbai.

Banerjee said time and again under the BJP's autocratic rule the sanctity of the institutions had been ruined and they are working as a tool of the saffron brigade.

Within half-an-hour, after Narendra Modi banned high-value currency notes, Banerjee had said it would severely affect the economic growth of the country. Later, many economists from India and abroad also said demonetisation would impede the nation's economic health.

At that time, Banerjee had also taken part in a dharna outside the RBI in Delhi. She wanted to know whether RBI officials were informed about the decision or not. Senior officials of RBI did not open their mouth but with time it came to light that no discussion with the then Governor RBI Urjit Patel was held before the announcement.

Banerjee also alleged that institutions such as the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have been used to harass the Opposition leaders. Whenever the Opposition leaders raise their voice and ask questions about the failures of the Centre, the BJP use these institutions against these leaders to scare them.

Yogi's remark also provoked condemnation from the Congress, which called it an insult to the armed forces.

The Election Commission has sought a report from the Ghaziabad district magistrate on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's remark at a rally on Sunday, as it may violate the election code.