Centre using money collected from fuel taxes to spy on us: Mamata Banerjee on Pegasus scandal

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government over a range of issues including the handling of COVID-19 pandemic, rising fuel prices and the Pegasus snooping row.

To mark Martyrs’ Day, the TMC organized a mega campaign in a bid to position itself at the national level, hoping to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Referring to the Pegasus row, Banerjee alleged that the BJP wants to turn India into a surveillance state instead of a democratic country. At the same time, she took a pot shot at the government over fuel prices.

“Money collected by Centre through taxes on fuel being spent on spying. BJP wants to turn India into a surveillance state instead of a democratic country,” she said.

“Our phones are tapped. Pegasus is dangerous and ferocious. I cannot talk to anyone. You are paying too much money for spying. I have plastered my phone. We should also plaster the Centre otherwise country will be destroyed. BJP has bulldozed federal structure,” she added.

Banerjee further criticized Centre over its “monumental failure” in handling the pandemic.

“COVID second wave monumental failure of Modi government,” she said.

Riding on the massive success it got in the Bengal assembly elections, Banerjee is now aiming to steer her way into national politics.

“We want to congratulate the people of the country and my state. We fought against money, muscle, mafia power and all agencies. Despite all odds, we won because people in Bengal voted for us and we received blessings from people in country, world,” she said.

She claimed that “Khela” will happen across the country and announced that her party will celebrate “Khela Diwas” a day after Independence Day on August 16.

Announcing that her party will celebrate “Khela Diwas” a day after Independence Day on August 16, Banerjee claimed that “Khela” will happen across the country.

“'Khela' will happen in all states until BJP is removed from the country. We'll celebrate 'Khela Diwas' on August 16. We'll give footballs to poor children,” she said.

Banerjee addressed people across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. 

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