KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday strongly reacted to provocative statements by a section of Bangladeshi politicians that Bangladesh could occupy Bengal within days, calling them “absurd” and dismissing it by saying, “you will occupy Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, and we will have lollipops?”
While addressing the West Bengal Assembly, Banerjee, without naming anyone, condemned the circulation of certain fake videos on this side of the border and blamed a certain political party for attempting to stoke tensions in the state.
The chief minister condemned the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, calling it unacceptable, and stressed the need for unity among India’s religious communities.
Banerjee strongly rejected provocative statements from across the border, including a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader who said that Bangladesh has claims over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, and a viral video featuring Bangladesh Army veterans suggesting the country could occupy West Bengal within days, remarking, “You will occupy Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, and we will have lollipops? Don’t even think that.”
