Mamata Banerjee Mentions Kejriwal To Attack Centre, Defends Arrested Minister Citing Work On Ration Cards

During a press conference in Kolkata on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal and Bengal ministers as a means to stifle the opposition.

When questioned about the arrest of Bengal Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick in the ration scam, Banerjee responded, "This is a political question. This is not the appropriate platform to answer. My party will address this. He is, of course, our minister. Do you know how we worked on digital ration cards? We canceled one crore false ration cards. I won't respond to other legal questions. They will defend themselves."

Responding on alleged attacks on other opposition leaders, Banerjee said, "Arvind (Arvind Kejriwal) has also been sent a notice. Five to six MPs claim their phones have been hacked."

She went on to say, "Let them (the Centre) continue their actions. We will not humiliate our motherland. We will observe and endure what we can endure."

Banerjee also mentioned that the TMC protest over MGNREGA dues will persist, adding, "We will wait until 16 December, and then we will announce our next course of action."