“I don’t know how they excluded Taj Mahal,” Banerjee said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday took a scathing jibe at BJP led Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to exclude Taj Mahal from the list of tourist places in the state. “I don’t know how they excluded Taj Mahal,” Banerjee said, adding, “they changed Mughalsarai’s name but if they want to change India’s name, where will we go?” Banerjee made her remarks against BJP after convening a press conference where she informed media about a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the withdrawal of Central forces from the state.
The West Bengal chief minister said that its unfortunate that Centre has withdrawn forces from violence-hit region of the state without consulting her government. She further told media that she has requested Union home minister not to withdraw central forces from Darjeeling. “I have written a strong letter to PM and HM over the withdrawal of Central forces, requesting them to not see this from the narrow political mind,” the chief minister was quoted as saying by ANI. Banerjee also alleged BJP repeatedly tried to disturb the situation in Darjeeling and claimed that one BJP minister is directly involved in the violence. “BJP is hatching conspiracy to divide Bengal, we will not bow down,” Banerjee said.
This wasn’t the first time when Banerjee held the Centre responsible for the Darjeeling unrest. Days ago, she had said the state government would not tolerate any rumour-mongering that might endanger peace, PTI had reported. “There was peace in the (Darjeeling) hills. Due to Delhi’s instigation, the peace was disturbed for a few days but peace has returned to the hills again,” Banerjee was quoted as saying by PTI “I will request everybody not to pay heed to any form of rumours. You people have to protect the peace of Jangalmahal, I’m with you as your friend,” she added.
