“Indian cricket team practice jersey too is now saffron…”, Mamata Banerjee slams ‘saffronisation’ drive, says no to NaMoste!

Reiterating her apprehension of BJP attempting to saffronise every National institution, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out on Friday over the Indian Cricket Team having to don saffron jerseys during their practice session.

“Now they are trying to paint everything saffron. Look at the metro stations. Even our cricket team hasn’t been spared. We are proud of our Indian players and I believe they will be World Cup champions. Usko bhi gerua bana diya (That too they have turned saffron)! Their practice jersey colours are now saffron. I have never seen anything like this.”, said Mamata Banerjee during a puja inauguration in Kolkata on Friday.

Her remarks came hours before the ICC World Cup finals at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. She also took a jibe at the name of the stadium, insinuating that naming and renaming institutions have been BJP’s game plan for political gains and that also reflects a narcissistic mindset.

“After my parents passed away, many had suggested that I make some institution in their name but I had refused. Neither do they have ever desired for so nor do I appreciate such things. People will remember you for your actions and those who found a place in the hearts of people need nothing else. Now, everything is in the name of Na-Mo-ste and not namaste to the people anymore. That’s the allusion to someone’s name. This simply cannot go on. Do it in the name of the country, I have no issues. Do it in the name of some leader from Gujarat, UP, Bihar or South India, I have no objection, as long as that person is truly a leader of the nation”, she added while drawing parallels with former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati making her own statues.

The Trinamool supremo reminded the BJP that power is transient and not permanent. She slammed the saffron party for their extravaganza after advertisements and expenses that may have been incurred. “Such branding and advertisement money could have paid for our 100 day workers whose money they have held up…”, she claimed.

Mamata Banerjee has time and again expressed displeasure over the conduct of the cricketing board BCCI and had even questioned the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's son, Jay Shah's merit to be part of the cricket board of India. She asserted to the crowd gathered at the event that “Bengal must lead India” while urging people to stay united against any divisive propaganda.