Mamata writes letter to Sonia Gandhi, Oppn leaders; asks them to ‘unite against BJP’

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written personal letters to top Opposition leaders including Sonia Gandhi and appealed them to join ranks against the BJP and also work out a joint strategy to take on the saffron party and to ‘defend democracy in India.

“I am writing this letter…to convey my serious concerns over a series of assaults by the BJP and its government at the Centre on democracy and constitutional federalism in India,” Mamata Banerjee wrote in the three-page letter.

Banerjee’s letter, released by the TMC on Wednesday, comes just ahead of the second phase of polls in the state. Through the letter, TMC chief seeks to drum up support from opposition leaders by stating how non-BJP states have suffered due to the saffron party led Centre’s actions.

TMC chief sent the letters to 15 non-BJP leaders including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK chief MK Stalin, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik, Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav as well as NC chief Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.

Mamata cites NCT (Amendment) bill

In her letter, Mamata Banerjee raised the recent passing of the controversial National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill by both Houses of Parliament, calling it “an extremely grave development”.

“The NCT Bill is a direct attack on the federal structure of the Indian Republic, as enshrined in the Constitution. It also makes a mockery of the letter and spirit of democracy since it disempowers the people of the national capital,” she wrote.

“You will agree that what the BJP has done in Delhi is not an exception but is increasingly becoming a rule,” Mamata Banerjee said.

TMC chief accuses BJP of using muscle/money power in polls

Banerjee on Wednesday also alleged that BJP leaders were distributing large sums of money running into crores of rupees to influence electoral outcome and asked for action by the Election Commission.

The Trinamool Congress supremo also accused BJP of bringing in “hired goons” from outside states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to create disturbance here and urged the ECI to ensure free and fair assembly polls.

“There are several BJP leaders sitting in hotels with huge amounts of money and distributing from there. They are conducting horse trading,” Banerjee alleged.

Call for anti-BJP alliance after Assembly polls

Calling on the Opposition to unite against the BJP, Mamata Banerjee said “I strongly believe that the time has come for a united and effective struggle against the BJP’s attacks on democracy and the Constitution…We can win this battle only with the unity of hearts and minds, and by presenting a credible alternative to the people of India.”

She said that talks on forming an anti-BJP alliance should be held after the assembly elections.