Mamata Banerjee at Ramlila Maidan: We were not defeated in Bengal, we were made to lose

An INDIA bloc rally was held at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, where former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the BJP and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. "We have not lost in Bengal, we have been made to lose. We will take our revenge in a democratic way," Banerjee said.

The rally was called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and to protest the SIR process. Leaders and workers of Opposition parties from across the country reached the ground in large numbers.

In her speech, Banerjee questioned the SIR process carried out in West Bengal. She claimed that because of the process, more than one crore voters in Bengal had been deprived of their right to vote.

The most talked-about part of the speech was her remark set to the tune of a children's rhyme. Targeting the BJP, she said, "Vanish vanish yes papa, vote chori yes papa, democracy chori yes papa." She also levelled allegations against the BJP over the respect due to farmers and homes for labourers. She asked the crowd, "Do you want the BJP? No papa. Do you want Gyanesh Kumar? No papa." She also appealed to those present to remove the BJP from power.

Speaking on the SIR process, Banerjee said the people of Bengal had become victims of it. She said she would not surrender. According to her, even if it cost her life, the fight for democracy would go on. She repeated that she had not lost in Bengal but had been made to lose, and that she would take revenge and fight this battle in a democratic way.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also criticised the BJP at the gathering. He said the BJP and its allies would not return to power after the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Banerjee's sharp remarks and Akhilesh Yadav's statement on 2027 are now being discussed in political circles.