'I may join, nothing confirmed now': Mamata Banerjee on CJP’s Jantar Mantar protest on October 10

Former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that there is yet no confirmation on her participation in the Cockroach Janata Party-sponsored protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

Mamata was speaking to reporters at the NSC Bose International Airport here before boarding a flight to the national capital to take part in the ongoing protests of the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc. She lashed out at the BJP and the Election Commission for the alleged SIR anomalies and electoral malpractices in Bengal.

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“I may join the protest at Jantar Mantar scheduled for October 10, but nothing can be confirmed now. We have maintained a relationship with them (the CJP) and have extended our support, while any further decision regarding our participation will be taken later,” Banerjee said.

Banerjee has remained vocal about the lakhs of alleged unfair deletions from electoral rolls in the state and accused the BJP and EC of being “hand in glove” in their “joint conspiracy to undermine the poll process” that led to a change of guard in state power.

She reiterated her criticism of the saffron party and the poll watchdog on Thursday also.

“No election has ever taken place like the way it was conducted in Bengal. Have you ever heard anyone declaring before an election exactly how many votes they will win by? This clearly raises questions about calculated voting, bogus voting, rigging and vote looting. Such practices cannot continue for long, and no party can remain in power indefinitely by looting votes,” she said.

Banerjee said that although the festive season has arrived and everyone is busy with Puja celebrations, she still felt it necessary to participate in the protests.

“When people are raising their voices for an important cause, we must stand beside them, and our absence at such a crucial moment would not send the right message,” she said.

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“Initially, I had decided not to attend the programme, but since my name was included and the organisers personally requested my presence, I decided that I should go, especially when a movement is already underway, and it would not be appropriate for us to remain absent at such an important time,” the former CM said.

Banerjee extended her solidarity to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, stating that the manner in which they were treated by the Delhi Police during the October 6 protests was inappropriate.

“Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition, and protests are taking place across the country… Everyone has the right to take part in a movement, but the way Priyanka was treated was also very wrong," she said.

Every household has women, mothers and children, and they deserve respect and protection, irrespective of political differences, Banerjee said, adding that no political movement should result in the targeting or intimidation of family members.

(With PTI inputs)