Chef Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee (File Photo)
As the nation eagerly anticipates the Cricket World Cup 2023 grand finale scheduled for November 19 at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, where India will face Australia, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised cricket-related concerns of a different nature. On November 17, she launched an attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of ‘saffronising’ Team India.
Mamata Banerjee claimed that the ruling party has infused a ‘saffron’ hue into everything and cited the example of the Indian cricket team’s jersey. The leader of the All India Trinamool Congress asserted, “Now everything is turning saffron. We take pride in our Indian players, and I believe they will become world champions. However, even their practice attire has been changed to saffron; they used to wear blue before.” Mamata Banerjee made these remarks during the inauguration of Jagadhatri Puja at Posta Bazar in central Kolkata.
“We take immense pride in our Indian players, and I firmly believe they will emerge as champions in the World Cup. It’s astonishing; they have even transformed their practice colors to saffron! I’ve never witnessed anything like this,” she remarked.
Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to “saffronise” the entire country, asserting that the party has introduced saffron hues into the Indian cricket team as well. “Now, our boys practice in saffron-colored jerseys. Despite their resistance to wearing anything other than their blue outfits, the change was enforced. Even Metro stations have been painted saffron. This is unacceptable,” she expressed. It’s noteworthy that Team India’s match outfit is blue, while they practice in orange jerseys.
Continuing, Mamata Banerjee added, “I am focused on my work, while they focus on advertising. When my parents passed away, some individuals approached me to name institutes after them. I declined, stating that it was not something they would have wanted.”
“I’ve never witnessed anything like this. Have you seen the newly emerging metro stations in Kolkata?” inquired the TMC leader. She went on to comment, “They’re all colored saffron. I’ve seen Mayawati install statues of herself, and now it’s happening everywhere in the name of ‘namaste.’ This cannot continue.”
The BJP responded strongly to Mamata Banerjee’s statements, labeling them as a ‘reflection of a vindictive approach.’ West Bengal BJP leader Rahul Sinha asserted, “After a few days, she might question why our national flag has saffron color in it. We don’t even find it appropriate to respond to such statements.”
It’s worth noting that the Indian cricket team is poised to face Australia in the World Cup final on November 19th in Ahmedabad, having maintained a perfect 10 out of 10 win record in the tournament so far.
On November 6, Mamata criticised the Prime Minister without explicitly mentioning him in connection to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the chosen venue for the upcoming World Cup final between India and Australia.
Mamata remarked, “I don’t construct stadiums bearing my name. I seek no publicity… I have no need for it.” She proceeded to mock the BJP-led central government for its inclination towards publicity.
“Those who genuinely remain in the hearts of the common people will be truly remembered by all… Have you observed? Even the Metro stations are being adorned in saffron,” she pointed out.
Drawing a parallel with Mayawati, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party, who has a self-statue in Uttar Pradesh, Mamata highlighted that such practices were uncommon in India, emphasising that she had never encountered anyone else engaging in similar actions.
“Now, everything is associated with NaMoste (seemingly an allusion to the Prime Minister). It’s not ‘namaste’ to the people. This just cannot continue. If you want to do it in the name of the country, I have no issues,” she remarked.
“Do it in the name of a leader from Gujarat, and I have no objection, as long as that individual is genuinely a leader of the nation. Choose someone from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, or from South India—any place, go ahead and do it,” she added.
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