Chief minister on Monday, hinting at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said no one has the right to dictate as to which god one should worship. She was obliquely referring to the pran pratishtha ceremony at Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. “What do they think? I will only follow and worship the god they suggest.

I am not ready to allow that. I have studied Ramayana. I have studied the Bible, Guru Granth Sahib and Tripitaka as well,” the CM said while addressing an administrative review meeting in Cooch Behar on Monday. Banerjee also indirectly ridiculed the BJP for not referring to “Sita Mata” or “Mata Koushyalya”. “They never speak about them or the sacrifices they made,” Banerjee said. She also accused the BJP of ignoring the popular religious places and religious festivals in the state.

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“They never speak of the Madan Mohan Temple or the Jalpeshwar Temple. They never speak of Durga Puja. I have said this before and I am saying this again, religion is about personal faith, but festivals are for all,” she said. Banerjee also accused the BJP of “unnecessarily targeting” her over the issue of corruption. “My party will not take the responsibility of personal corruption by just 1 per cent of the leaders. Similarly, the state government will also not take the responsibility. Now the ‘dacoits’ are addressing us as ‘thieves’.

I do not accept any salary as chief minister. I even pay the bill for a single cup of tea. So do not lie and call me a thief,” the chief minister said. On central funds being denied to the state, she said, “They haven’t released the funds for MGNREGA for two years. Even those, who worked haven’t received their wages. Yet, through the state government, I have generated 40 per cent of 100 days’ work through the poor people. They received their wages every month.” Hardening her stand towards the central government, Mamata said, “I will wait till 1 Feb. I had given them 7 days. They have to release our money. We will not sit back and watch them live in their palaces while blocking the money allocated for the houses of the poor people.

They have blocked funds for roads and MGNREGS. I will hold a meeting with the people, who haven’t received their wages (under MGNREGA) and the 11 lakh people who were cleared to get houses (under Awas Yojana).” She once more showed her humane side, when she said, “I will say what I have to after that meeting.

Have hope and faith. If they don’t release the funds, I don’t care. As long as I am here, Trinamul govt is here, we will stand by the people like we always do. After giving something just before elections, they (central government) may take credit. But this is not the money of zamindars. They are taking our money and not releasing our funds.” She, taking a dig at the Prime Minister, said, “Even if someone takes vaccination, [his] photo is there. The day isn’t far when there will be similar selfies on death certificates.”