Will hit the streets against BJP’s ‘eggs and bricks’, Mamata tells TMCP rally
Times of India | 29 August 2026
Dwaipayan.Ghosh@timesofindia.com
Kolkata: Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on Friday ripped into “high-voltage virus” BJP, saying she wanted to see “how many eggs and bricks they have in stock” and asserting that BJP workers will prove to be the party’s undoing and TMC will return to office.
Addressing a rally on Trinamool Chhatra Parishad’s foundation day in Kolkata, Banerjee claimed police had a humane face during her regime but BJP had turned the force into a “monstrous entity”. Banerjee said she would stop “police atrocities” on her supporters, adding that this was her pledge on ‘Raksha Bandhan’.
The TMC chief said she will soon start a tour of the state and walk the streets if her public meetings were not allowed. Banerjee said she did not want to waste the court’s time by seeking permission for rallies declined approval by the administration.
“This is a democratic movement. Why should we seek the court’s approval repeatedly? It has many cases... From now, if police refuse permission, we will seek people’s consent instead,” she said.
Criticising the Suvendu Adhikari-led govt, Banerjee slammed BJP for being a “high-powered, high-voltage virus and brining destruction wherever it goes”.
Attacking Adhikari, she said: “In our regime, you were transport minister. You were chairperson of Haldia Development Board. You were the irrigation minister too. Your father was a central minister and chairperson of Digha Development Board. For teacher recruitment, you took responsibility for recruitments at Bankura, Purulia and Midnapore... bhandar khulbo (I will open up a Pandora’s box).”
Citing how three youths from Bhowanipore were arrested by police on Friday morning while returning from offering namaz, Banerjee said she did not “recognise this police force”.
“Even during incidents, they stood firm and were attacked. They allowed their blood to flow but never used unnecessary bulldozers or tear gas. Remember, the umbrella will not always remain over your head. They say they will not let me come out — what audacity!” she added.
Asking why so many central police personnel were needed in Bengal, Banerjee said “we ran the govt for 15 years without central forces”. “You have filed 14,000 cases. Kalyan Banerjee is fighting in Supreme Court, and I will go too. If needed, I will take it to international court. Remember, govt will be implicated as well. Those carrying out arrests will also be held accountable,” she said.
Banerjee called on party workers and youth to support “student issues anywhere in the country.” “I am a product of student politics. Wherever students face abuse, stand up bravely to protect them. Their (BJP’s) true face must be exposed,” she said.
Recalling recent incidents at Jadavpur University and Presidency University, Banerjee said “BJP has spun a noose around Jadavpur and Presidency. They have to do as BJP says”.
The former CM also raised the issue of allegations of “book theft”. “They’re accusing me of stealing books. If they have courage, they should prove it. Otherwise, they must apologise publicly. I haven’t fallen on such hard times that I would need to steal books from a library,” she said.