Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], July 21 : Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said she would visit Delhi and join the protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), if required, while calling for Opposition unity against the BJP.
Addressing the TMC's Martyrs' Day rally in Kolkata, Banerjee said, "We supported CJP from the beginning. If need be, I will visit Delhi and join their protest."
"The time has come to be united under the umbrella of the INDIA Alliance against the BJP. I request all parties of the nation and the entire country, and in Bengal also," she added.
Referring to Monday's protest in Delhi, Banerjee said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "turned his car" after the alleged police action against students.
She also alleged that the BJP-led government had crossed the limits of authoritarianism.
"People can realise the BJP atrocities. It has already crossed Hitler & Stalin," she said, adding that the ongoing fight was "a movement to save democracy".
Banerjee also alleged that the BJP had tried to disrupt the TMC's Martyrs' Day programme and claimed that around 600 bikers carrying guns had come to destroy the Martyrs' Day stage on Monday night.
"Last night me, Abhishek along with other leaders, guarded the Shaheed Diwas stage from the BJP's continuous attack. But did not get any help from the police after informing them several times. We can understand whose direction works behind," she said.
Targeting the BJP-led state government, Banerjee said, "BJP State Government is a government of fear. They killed several of our party workers and harassed them."
"They wanted to stop me from doing the rally today. But they failed," she added.
She also said she would soon visit districts across West Bengal and challenged those attempting to stop her.
"I will visit districts soon, will show your guards to stop me," she said.
Banerjee also accused the BJP of targeting her party leaders through investigations and cases, claiming that more than 14,000 cases had been filed against TMC leaders.
"They loaded more than 14,000 cases against our leaders; we will come with garlands once they come out of jail," she said.
On the issue of electoral rolls, she alleged, "Those who looted votes, deducted the names of voters from SIR electoral rolls, will come in front of you very soon."
The TMC chief also accused the BJP of failing to fulfil assurances in several sectors, including the Annapurna Bhandar scheme, dearness allowance and the Pay Commission.
"It's shameful that the government failed to fulfil their assurance in every sector, including Annapurna Bhandar, DA and Pay Commission," she said.
Banerjee also alleged that the BJP had failed to act against corruption and said more than 400 cases had been filed against TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee.
"More than 400 cases have been filed against Abhishek Banerjee but will not be able to probe any allegations," she said.
On the Ram Mandir issue, Banerjee alleged, "They looted the Pranami Box from the Mandir."
She also criticised the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and said an investigation into the matter could eventually reveal the Prime Minister's name.
"They said, will do an investigation over COVID; PM Narendra Modi's name will come out," she said.
Banerjee also alleged discrimination in the conduct of religious programmes, saying, "Blocked seven days for Yoga Day, but did not allow for Namaz."
The TMC chief further said her party would not allow leaders who had left it to return.
"We will not allow any of them who left the party over the joining of Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress again," she said, targeting rebel MPs.
Her remarks came a day after she condemned the alleged police action against students and youth protesting in Delhi, saying, "I strongly condemn the police brutality unleashed on our youth and students in Delhi today. What kind of government fears its own students? What kind of democracy responds to questions with batons and tear gas instead of dialogue?"
Earlier in the day, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to the New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police, seeking details of FIRs registered and people detained following Monday's CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. Kejriwal also visited the Parliament Street Police Station.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital on Tuesday to review the condition of protesters injured during Monday's clashes. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also met injured protesters at RML Hospital.
The CJP protest march towards Parliament on Monday turned violent, with Delhi Police claiming that more than 118 police personnel were injured in clashes. Around 60 protesters were also reported to have sustained injuries.
Police have registered five FIRs in connection with alleged violence, stone-pelting and vandalism and are examining more than 250 videos to identify those involved in the incidents.
Meanwhile, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk continues to receive treatment at Safdarjung Hospital, where his vital parameters remain stable, though doctors said his blood sugar levels remain low, and his serum potassium level was recorded at 3.2 mEq/L.