Politics

Didi's day out in Mumbai: 10 things that caught our attention

Amrutha PagadDecember 2, 2021 | 18:22 IST

On November 30, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee went on a ‘revenge tour’ to Mumbai. The TMC Chief is on a mission to expand the party’s national presence and Mumbai is among one of her stops.   

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai. Photo: @AITCofficial/Twitter

From controversies to Twitter wars, here are 10 developments from Didi’s visit to Mumbai:

1. NATIONAL ANTHEM CONTROVERSY

Mamata Banerjee’s politically charged visit to Mumbai wouldn’t be complete without an FIR. A police complaint by a BJP leader against the West Bengal Chief Minister alleges that she disrespected the national anthem.

During a press conference, Mamata Banerjee started singing the national anthem. The complaint alleges that the Chief Minister started singing the anthem abruptly while being seated, and then ended it without completing the anthem.

2. MEETING AADITYA THACKERAY

Mamata Banerjee was supposed to meet the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, but due to his hospitalisation she was unable to. Thackeray’s son and Maharashtra Mnister of Environment Aaditya met the West Bengal leader instead, along with Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

Aaditya said TMC and Shiv Sena have an old friendship and that they will be working together to strengthen the ties.

3. MEETING SHARAD PAWAR

Mamata Banerjee also met NCP Chief Sharad Pawar. The NCP Supremo said that Banerjee’s intention was to meet with like-minded people and form a collective national leadership.

Mamata Banerjee and her party are trying to pitch an alternative or a non-Congress opposition to the BJP for the 2024 general elections. Banerjee's meeting with young Thackeray and Pawar is interesting, given that the two parties are in an alliance with Congress in Maharashtra.  

4. IRKING THE CONGRESS 

Mamata Banerjee might be whipping up an opposition against the national BJP leadership; however, she also managed to unceremoniously poke ol’ Congress in the process. Soon after meeting Sharad Pawar, Mamata Banerjee said that there was no longer any UPA.

“What UPA, where is UPA? Now there is no UPA left. We will make one (alternative opposition),” Banerjee told mediapersons in Mumbai.

The comment obviously did not sit well with the Congress, and the party leaders took potshots at the Bengal leader for it.

5. BJP CELEBRATES UPA COMMENT

BJP leaders were likely ready with their phones to fire off tweets against Mamata Banerjee, but they were not expecting her to give them fodder to attack the Congress party. 

Does Amit Malviya sum up the entire situation with Congress?

6. JAI MARATHA, JAI BANGLA

There's a new political slogan coined by Banerjee. It is called, Jai Maratha, Jai Bangla. The politician raised the slogan after her visit to the Siddhivinayak temple and also right after the controversial national anthem during the press conference. It is likely to be heard with more fist-pumping in the 2024 general elections. 

7. SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE VISIT

Mamata Banerjee paid a visit to the famed Siddhivinayak temple in Maharashtra. She said that though she’s been to Mumbai a couple of times earlier, she was never able to visit the temple. 

Banerjee also prayed for the health of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, who’s currently recuperating from a surgery.

8. SWARA BHASKAR COMPLAINS ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT

One of the strategies of Mamata Banerjee for pitching TMC for national politics is to build herself a soft public image. Banerjee met actors, artists and intellectuals during her visit to Mumbai.

During a meeting, actor Swara Bhaskar told the politician that UAPA and sedition laws were being misused in the country to target ordinary citizens. She also said that free expression by artists like Agrima Joshua, Munawar Faruqui and others was being stifled. 

9. BENGAL GLOBAL BUSINESS SUMMIT

Mamata Banerjee met industrialists in Mumbai and also invited them to West Bengal for a conclave. Banerjee is pitching herself as a business-friendly leader.

10. POSSIBLE VARANASI VISIT

Visiting Mumbai is a part of the 'nationalise TMC' plan. The party has begun gearing up for elections outside of West Bengal; in Goa and Haryana. The party and its Chief are planning a visit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi as well.

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How do you envision Mamata’s khela for the 2024 elections? From pitching an opposition to the BJP and streamlining an opposition which is Congress-mukt, will Banerjee succeed on all fronts? Will Mamata Banerjee become the opposition face for 2024 elections? Let us know in the comments section.

Last updated: December 02, 2021 | 18:22
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