On his first visit to the state after becoming the state observer for the BJP, its national secretary Varun Gandhi on Monday asked chief minister Mamata Banerjee to shun her “arrogance” and reminded her the political support she had enjoyed under the Vajpayee government in 1999.
“Mamata Banerjee is a big political leader now. But she must not forget that she was made a minister in the NDA government. When the Congress threw her out of the party, it was Vajpayeeji and Advaniji who were kind enough to support her. Now she must shed her arrogance as regimes fall due to this arrogance,” said Varun Gandhi who is on a two-day visit to the state.
Mr Gandhi further threatened to take revenge against Trinamul Congress for the suffering and harassment of BJP party workers. “I would urge Mamataji not to attack our workers. If the attacks continue, we will avenge each and every attack when we form the next Central government after six months,” he said. He also urged party workers to reach out to the people and strengthen the party before the next Lok Sabha elections. “In the previous general elections, we were strong in at least 15 seats. However, we need to increase that number. We must make our rivals realise that they cannot underestimate BJP in West Bengal,” he added.
Shifting his focus to Central government, Mr Gandhi said that the pride and respect of the nation was at stake in next Lok Sabha elections.
“The next parliamentary elections are not about you and me. It is an election where the pride and respect of the nation is at stake and we will not allow the country to go into wrong hands. We have to save the honour and pride of our nation,” he said.
Mr Varun Gandhi further blamed the UPA government for creating a political divide in the country to suit its own political interests.