'Don’t need BJP’s money to rebuild Vidyasagar’s statue'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP over the vandalising of Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar's statue during BJP president Amit Shah's roadshow in Kolkata.

Banerjee not only scoffed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark on rebuilding the statue at a rally in South 24 Paraganas district but attacked the saffron party in a Facebook post, alleging that vandalising statues is nothing new for BJP.

“Narendra Modi has said in Uttar Pradesh today that he will rebuild the statue of Vidyasagar in Kolkata. Bengal has enough resources to build the statue. We don’t need BJP's money,” said Banerjee at the rally.

Accusing the BJP of attacking the culture and heritage of Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said “BJP has destroyed a 200-year-old heritage of Bengal. Can they give it back?”

Banerjee also dared the Prime Minister to prove his allegation that it was TMC cadres who vandalised the statue.

“He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) is saying that Trinamool Congress has broken the statue. Such a shameless liar. He should do sit-ups while holding his ears for telling such blatant lies. Prove what you are saying. If it's false you will get into jail. We have all the evidence,” said Banerjee.

In a post on social media, Mamata also referred to the incidents of bulldozing Lenin’s statue in Tripura, B R Ambedkar’s statue in Uttar Pradesh and Periyar’s statue in Vellore.

“Vandalising the statue of Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar may not be viewed as an isolated incident. Incidence of vandalism of statues is not a new phenomenon for BJP,” stated Banerjee in the post.

Alleging that the statue was vandalised by BJP-backed goons the Chief Minister stated that her party is totally against the “hate philosophy” of the Modi and Shah.

“All India Trinamool Congress believes in conserving the rich cultural and historical heritage of our Bengal. It is totally against the hate philosophy of Modi and Amit Shah,” stated Banerjee.