New Delhi, In a bold move, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Angamitra Paul has thrown down the gauntlet to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Paul specifically suggested that Banerjee should stand against PM Modi in his Varanasi constituency.
Addressing reporters, Paul questioned, “Why doesn’t Mamata Banerjee contest from Varanasi? If Mamata Banerjee dares to compete in place of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, then she should do that. Do you want to become the Prime Minister? It is only fitting that our CM stands against the PM in the Lok Sabha polls.”
The challenge comes on the heels of Banerjee’s recent proposal of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s name for the prime ministerial post within the Opposition coalition, INDIA. Paul highlighted the apparent discord within the coalition, citing differences between TMC and Congress leaders at the state and national levels.
The TMC has positioned Banerjee as the face of the Opposition, with reports suggesting a strategic move to avoid contesting seats currently held by Congress in Bengal. As political dynamics intensify, all eyes are now on Mamata Banerjee’s response to this direct challenge from the BJP.
