WEST BENGAL, India: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a strong statement of dissent during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony by switching off all the lights in her room and sitting in complete darkness.
This act of protest was highlighted by Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose, who shared the news on social media platform X. Banerjee has been vocal in her criticism of the formation of the new government, calling it “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal.”
She had earlier stated that she would not attend the oath-taking ceremony or extend her best wishes to Modi.
Ghose conveyed Banerjee’s message, emphasizing that the Prime Minister, according to her, had lost the mandate of the people and should be replaced. She noted that Modi’s party had not secured a majority despite a campaign focused entirely on him.
On Saturday, following a meeting with her party’s MPs in Kolkata, Banerjee reiterated her stance, expressing disappointment with the election results and hinting that the opposition coalition, INDIA bloc, may claim the right to form the government in the future. She stressed the need for change, suggesting that the country does not want Modi’s leadership.
In response, BJP West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar made light of Banerjee’s actions, suggesting that it was unsafe for her to sit in the dark, referencing an incident in March where Banerjee had suffered a head injury at home. Majumdar implied that someone might try to push her to replace her as chief minister, a comment stemming from a past claim that Banerjee felt pushed when she fell and got injured.
This ongoing tension highlights the deep political divide and the contentious atmosphere surrounding the recent elections.
