Mamata Banerjee Can be First Bengali to Become Prime Minister, Says West Bengal BJP Chief Dilip Ghosh
Asked whether any BJP leader from Bengal stood the chance to become the country's prime minister, Dilip Ghosh said that could come at a later date.
Kolkata, January 6: In a surprising political statement, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh on Saturday said state chief minister Mamata Banerjee has potential to be the first Bengali to become the prime minister of the country. On being asked whether any BJP leader from West Bengal had the chance to become the country's prime minister, Dilip Ghosh said that could come at a later date.
Ghosh made the remarks while extending birthday wishes to Mamata Banerjee. He said he prayed for her good health and success in life "because the fate of our state depends on her success". "Maybe, we can have someone later. But now as a potential prime ministerial candidate from Bengal, she (Mamata Banerjee) is number one on the list," he was quoted as saying. Will Strip Police Uniforms For Registering False Complaints Against Party Workers, Says BJP Chief Dilip Ghosh.
Ghosh referred to the political developments in 1996, when the Communist Party of India-Marxist central committee had twice voted against its politburo member and then state chief minister Jyoti Basu taking over as the country's prime minister. The United Front - a coalition of non-Congress and non-BJP political parties - had pressed hard for Basu to take the crucial chair. West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh Tells Police They 'Aren't Worth Wearing Uniform', Calls People From Jharkhand 'Bomb-Makers'.
However, the CPI-M had argued that with the party's small strength, Basu would not be in a position to deliver as a prime minister. "We missed out on Jyoti Basu becoming the prime minister, as his party did not allow him to occupy the top post," Ghosh said. He also expressed his happiness about Pranab Mukherjee becoming the first person from the state to become the President (from 2012-2017).
"We had Pranab Mukherjee from the state as the first Bengali to become President so now it's time to have a Bengali as PM," he added. Ghosh's comments apparently rattled the state BJP leadership, which is locked in an intense fight with the Banerjee-led ruling TMC in to become a prime challenger in the state in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 06, 2019 08:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).