TMC will vote for Meira Kumar to protest against the Centre: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that they will vote for UPA candidate Meira Kumar, but will respect Ram Nath Kovind if he wins.

Speaking to the media at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly during the presidential elections, Mamata came down heavily on the Union government.
She said that they were voting for Kumar to register their protest against BJP government, which was ruining the economy of the country and has developed bad relations with neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, China and Bangladesh.


"There has been a super emergency in our country. Any protest against communal politics, moves by communal forces to foment tension are being thwarted by the the BJP government. And sadly, many political forces are still encouraging BJP. I appeal to them that this is high time we should join together to oppose the BJP-ruled government because it has not only ruined the country's economy by introducing GST and demonetisation, but also attempting to destroy the secular fabric of the nation," Mamata said.

"BJP is so proud with their majority that they are ignoring everyone. Bilateral relations between India and it's neighbouring countries like China, Nepal, Bangladeh and Bhutan have also deteriorated a lot during the three year tenure of Modi government," she said.

She alleged that the Centre was not giving paramilitary forces to Bengal to combat Darjeeling situations. "For the past one month, we are seeking Central forces for Darjeeling. But the Centre is not sending it. In some borders of Darjeeling, Chinese language is being taught secretly. I have informed the Centre about this. How can Jamat activists from Satkhira enter Bengal to foment communal tension? What the Central agencies like RAW, NIA and others are doing? Why these Jamata activists are allowed to enter our state to create troubles?," asked the chief minister.

She also alleged that the Centre was indirectly encouraging several agencies to create communal tension in Bengal.

"Why VHP will form Durga Vahini in Bengal? Why incidents of violence are taking places in different parts of the country in the name of protecting cows?" Mamata asked.