Is Mamata Banerjee’s Life Under Threat?
Mamata Banerjee is among the top political leaders who have challenged the Modi regime on the demonetization issue.
By Rakesh Raman
As Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee has been spearheading an aggressive campaign against Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s demonetization decision, her party said today that Banerjee’s life is under threat.
Leader of the party in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, along with senior leaders of opposition parties today demanded explanation from the Union Minister of Civil Aviation after a flight carrying Mamata Banerjee was denied landing despite low fuel last night at Dumdum airport.
Earlier this week, Mamata Banerjee had said that she is determined to ring the political death knell for Modi. “I am taking pledge that either I’ll die or live, but will remove PM Modi from Indian politics,” she had said on Monday.
[ I Will Remove Narendra Modi from Indian Politics: Mamata Banerjee ]
About a week ago, Banerjee, backed by other Indian political parties such as JD-U, SP, NCP and AAP, held a demonstration against demonetization in Delhi and ramped up attack on PM Modi, alleging the country was not safe in his hands.
As millions of people in India are suffering because of the demonetization scheme of the government, it has become the biggest humanitarian crisis in independent India.
Mamata Banerjee is among the top political leaders who have challenged the Modi regime on the demonetization issue. She has been leading protests against Modi in different parts of India in order to ensure defeat of Modi and his party BJP in the upcoming state elections as well as Lok Sabha election. Obviously, Modi must be a disturbed man.
[ Modi’s Demonetization Killing People. All India Protests Planned ]
In Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, “The government must ensure the well-being and security of Mamata Banerjee. Her life is under threat. There must be full enquiry into the incident.”
Calling this “ultra-authoritarianism”, Derek O’Brien said in Rajya Sabha, “Why was the aircraft denied permission to land? This is suspicious. If this is happening to one opposition leader today, it can happen to any other opposition leaders tomorrow.”
Leaders of all opposition parties, led by the leader of opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad, expressed their concern and demanded a thorough inquiry into the incident.
[ Modi’s Demonetization Is Organized Loot, Says Dr. Manmohan Singh ]
According to Trinamool Congress, the other speakers included Ram Gopal Yadav (SP), Mayawati (BSP), Sharad Yadav (JDU), Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), TK Rangarajan (CPIM), Navneetha Krishnan (AIADMK) , Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Rajeev Shukla (INC), KTS Tulsi (Nominated).
KTS Tulsi, who is also a senior lawyer, suggested that an FIR (police report) of attempt to murder ought to be registered for endangering lives of people.
KTS Tulsi, Nominated MP&lawyer on @mamataofficial flight snag: FIR of attempt to murder ought to be registered for endangering lives of ppl
— AITC (@AITCofficial) December 1, 2016
According to Trinamool Congress, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was travelling back to Kolkata from Patna on an Indigo flight (6E-342). The scheduled departure time from Patna was at 6:35 PM and the scheduled arrival time to Kolkata was at 7:35 PM.
The aeroplane was coming from Lucknow and was already delayed and it left Patna for Kolkata at 7:35 PM. At 8:05 PM, the aeroplane was 180 km away from Kolkata. The pilot informed the passengers that it will take 15-20 minutes more for touchdown as seven other flights were waiting to land and his flight will land as the eighth one.
After circling over Kolkata for 32 minutes, the plane finally landed at 8:45 PM. The pilot informed air traffic control at 8:13 PM that fuel was very low and sought permission to land repeatedly thereafter.
According to Trinamool Congress, police, fire brigade, and ambulance were deployed near the runway in case of emergency or crash landing.
By Rakesh Raman, who is a government award-winning journalist and social scientist. You also can visit the REAL VOTER – Politics in India Information Center that he manages.
Photo courtesy: All India Trinamool Congress
