'Gabbar Singh' is the new sobriquet that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Didi had earlier called the PM 'Ravana'.
Comparing Modi to the iconic Bollywood villain immortalised by Amjad Khan in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, she said in the state assembly, "Like Gabbar Singh, someone is ruling the country. Three months have passed since the decision of demonetisation. People’s woes have not healed." She further said she isn't going to end her criticism of the Centre and its policies. "I will protest whenever it’s needed.”
Meanwhile, West Bengal assembly turned into a war zone when the government placed a Bill that sought to impose fine on people who destroy public or even private properties. Congress leader Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Abdul Mannan showed the picture of members of Trinamool Congress vandalising the state assembly a few years ago. The CPI(M) too demanded that the Bill should have retrospective effect.
At this, Speaker Biman Banerjee asked Mannan not to raise the issue or show the the picture. The Congress leader was suspended by the speaker after the former failed to comply with the speaker's directive.
Mannan, however, refused to leave assembly and a marshal was called in to escort him out of the house.
This was one of rare occasions in the history of West Bengal assembly that a leader of the opposition was dragged out of the house with the help of marshal.
The Congress and Left legislators cried foul and demanded withdrawal of suspension and staged a walkout.