Kolkata: Questioning how a CM sworn to uphold the Constitution could threaten to curtail the freedom of the chief of the principal opposition party, former Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday sought the intervention of President and Chief Justice of India. “India is witnessing a dangerous authoritarian moment,” Banerjee asked.Referring to CM Suvendu Adhikari’s remark that he would ensure that Banerjee was never able to hit the streets again, the TMC chief asked, “What exactly does that mean? House arrest? Intimidation? Political persecution? Who gave you the authority to decide who gets to move freely in a constitutional democracy?”Alleging this to be a new low in Indian politics, Banerjee said that CM “while seated in a govt office, had brazenly threatened” her. “The words were unambiguous: ‘I will ensure you cannot leave the house.’ Perhaps he is confusing me with those known to bow before authoritarianism. That, I must say, is a grave misreading. This is bigger than Mamata Banerjee. This is about the kind of India BJP wants to create — where political opponents are threatened, dissent is punished, and constitutional rights become privileges granted by those in office.”In a Facebook Live, the former CM said until BJP was sent into political “sanyas”, it was not time for her retirement.“If BJP netas think they can stop me by denying permission for meetings, they are mistaken. I am not a sanyasi… I will not withdraw from politics. Until BJP is sent into political exile — its own sanyas — our struggle will not stop,” she said.Attacking the Adhikari-led Bengal govt over the ongoing Annapurna Bhandar protests, Banerjee said she will stand by every woman who was affected. “People have been deceived,” she said.“Over the past few days, several issues have deeply shaken me, especially the woman who took her own life after not receiving the Annapurna benefit, and the boy from Bankura who had gone to CJP’s protest… who lost his father. The cries of mothers and sisters trying to convey their pain to authorities are heartbreaking. We used to provide Lakshmir Bhandar to 2.42 crore. Even in March, I gave them Rs 1,500. But after the election, 75% was stopped,” said Banerjee.The former CM said, “Before the election, BJP workers and agency representatives went door to door, making mothers and sisters fill out forms while promising benefits under the Annapurna scheme if BJP came to office. You didn’t speak of eligibility… now you say they do not qualify. Will BJP decide who deserves it?”Banerjee went on to claim that Annapurna funds were being distributed selectively, based on caste.Addressing what she called central “deprivation” during the Trinamool years, Banerjee claimed Centre deliberately withheld funds for 100-day work schemes, rural development and road projects. “Now you are getting funds — so where is the money going? Give Annapurna funds to ordinary people,” she said.The TMC chief urged those left out of Annapurna scheme to compile lists with names, addresses, booth details, occupations and proof of eligibility. “We will create a system to gather this information and stand by your side,” she said.Criticising the govt over vandalism at Jadavpur University and troubles at Presidency University and Asutosh College, Banerjee complained of police overactivity. She went on to criticise hawker evictions, termed the post-election period a “money-moon period” and attributed the FIR over Delhi Police pellet-firing to an RTI filed by Trinamool’s Saket Gokhale.The former CM challenged Election Commission, stating she would approach Supreme Court so that every name deleted in SIR be included in the voter list.
