All parties must unite to oust BJP from power: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a frontal attack on the central government on Wednesday and said all opposition parties must stay united to oust the BJP from power. The Trinamool Congress supremo said the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be fought between the common people and the BJP.

Banerjee was addressing a gathering during her party's two-day sit-in in Kolkata against the alleged discrimination of the Union government towards the state. The West Bengal government had alleged that the Centre has not released funds for the MGNREGA project for the state and other initiatives of its housing and road departments.

Banerjee, however, sought to make it clear that she was attending the demonstration on behalf of the party and not for the state government.

"People were asking me whether I am demonstrating on behalf of the state government or the Trinamool Congress. I would like to tell them that I have two responsibilities. I am the CM of West Bengal and also the TMC chairperson. So, as a chief minister when I see the people of my state suffer, it's my responsibility to look into that.

"Since this is the government of the TMC, I will say that I am conducting this demonstration on behalf of my party and not for the state government. You can see my party's symbol," she said, adding that she has every right to hold a dharna.

“If required, I can sit on a dharna at the PM's house, too," Banerjee said.

The chief minister also reiterated her 'washing machine' analogy—a reference she often used to claim that corrupt leaders are exonerated and spared when they join the BJP. 

According to reports, since Banerjee will not go to the state secretariat during the demonstration programme which will continue till 7 pm on Thursday, a temporary office was opened at the venue so that the administrative work is not hampered.