On Shah’s 2023 ‘latka denge’ comment, Mamata says ‘jhatka denge’

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said “migratory election birds are coming to Bengal and are using unacceptable language”

Slamming the language used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at election rallies, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said she will give the BJP a “jhatka” (shock).

Addressing a rally in Jalpaiguri, the Trinamool Congress chairperson said Home Minister Amit Shah had said, “sabko lakta denge (will hang them)”. “I tell them jhakta denge (will give them shock),” she said.

“Prime Minister says ‘chunaav ke baad, choon choon ke jail mein bharenge (will pick and put people in prison after elections) and the Home Minister says sabko latka denge (will hang them). We will give them jhatka,” Ms. Banerjee said.

While Mr. Modi spoke about putting people in prison during the ongoing campaign, Mr. Shah had made the “latka denge” comment last year in Bihar. “Let Prime Minister Narendra Modi return to power in 2024 and help BJP form its own government in the Assembly polls which would follow. All the rioters will be hung upside down (ulta latka denge),” the Home Minister had said in April 2023.

Ms. Banerjee said “migratory election birds are coming to Bengal and are using unacceptable language.”

“Has anyone ever heard such caustic language before,” she asked. The Chief Minister said had anyone from her party used such language, she would have expelled that person.

While campaigning in north Bengal, Ms. Banerjee said most seats in the region and in Jangalmahal went to the BJP in the last Lok Sabha election, but the party did nothing for the people. “I wouldn’t have had any issues had they worked for the people just as we did,” she said.