We want a leader like Mahatma Gandhi, not a 'dangabaaz' like PM Modi: Mamata Banerjee

In remarks that could lead to another political outburst in the ongoing election season, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the country needs leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda, and not a dangabaaz (rioter) like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Addressing a rally in West Bengal's Debra, Banerjee said: "There will be no freedom and democracy if we don’t change Modi.He will change the history and geography of the country.There will be no elections in future.There is an emergency in the country and no one can speak freely."

Questioning the BJP's nationalistic and patriotic claims, Banerjee said that the saffron party chants "Nathuram Godse zindabad" instead of "Mahatma Gandhi zindabad". 

On Tuesday, the West Bengal CM had said that PM Modi should get a "tight slap of democracy".   

"I do not bow my head in politics. When Modi alleges that Trinamool Congress is a party of syndicates...Its government is run by syndicates, I feel he should get a tight slap of democracy (be defeated in election)," she said at a public meeting at Raghunathpur in Purulia.

At another meeting at Ranibandh in Bankura district, she questioned BJP's claim of patriotism. "I do not know who Gandhiji's killers were.

But we know the name of Nathuram Godse, an RSS man. When you speak of patriotism and serving the nation can you tells us who was he?

"Did you fight for the country's independence? You (the BJP) had supported the British. Don't you feel ashamed?" Banerjee said.

Speaking in the same vein at Barjora, also in Bankura district, Banerjee said, "They (the BJP) don't revere Gandhiji and Netaji as leaders of the nation .... Modi should not sermonise us on patriotism".