June 2, 2026
If I live, I will remove BJP from power: Mamata Banerjee
All India Trinamool Congress held its first public programme following the results of the 2026 Assembly elections on Tuesday, June 2. The protest meeting, led by Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, was held at the Y-Channel in Dharmatala as the police did not give permission for the programme to be held at Rani Rashmoni Avenue.
The supremo came accompanied by MLAs Kunal Ghosh and Madan Mitra, and MP Kalyan Bandopadhyay. She placed a copy of the Constitution at the statue of BR Ambedkar and garlanded the statue, and then laid a wreath at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on Mayo Road. Then, she reached the Y-channel for the sit-in protest.
“The purpose of this sit-in protest is to save lives and livelihoods. However, we are being obstructed from protesting. We have been denied permission to use a mic, and so I am forced to use this hand-heled mic,” she said.
“I will sit wherever I can find a space; you cannot stop me,” she said, and then addressed the police: “Let those who are coming in enter. Otherwise, we will gherao Lalbazar [the police headquarters], we will gherao Nabanna, we will gherao all police stations. I am not blaming the police. They are not to blame. I have also been in administration too. They listen to the Chair. They do what the Chair tells them to do.”
“People are being intimidated into supporting the BJP by the ED and CBI. Party MLAs are not being allowed to leave their homes. The police are going and telling them to quit Trinamool Congress. They are being told to form a new Trinamool.
“Do not intimidate our MLAs and MPs. People are committing suicide because of your atrocities. An attempt is being made to keep everyone under pressure. Who will create the new Trinamool? Those who have been with the party from the beginning, or those who have won on the party’s symbol?
“Bulldozer politics is being practiced in West Bengal. Everyone is being threatened. Do not run a bulldozer over democracy. Those whose houses and shops have been demolished must be compensated. A ruler must be humble; that is their duty.”
“Abhishek went to two places, and he got scared. They planned to beat him. But I will go everywhere. I won’t give any prior notice. Go ahead and beat me. As long as I have a voice, you will not be able to make me bow my head.”
On the selection of the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, the chairperson stated, “In 2006, we won 29 seats. We needed to win at least 30 to qualify for the title of Leader of the Opposition. That is why the government at the time did not grant us recognition. When we reached 30, they did.’
“The party must decide this [who will be Leader of Opposition]. No MLA can decide. When we came to power, the name of Surya Kanta Mishra was proposed by CPI(M). We accepted it. Now why are we being denied [our right]?”
On the signature controversy, she said, “Those who are saying that the signature is not theirs, I have everything recorded on video. Some write in capital letters, others sign. But if you have any doubt about handwriting, get a forensic examination done. That, however, does not stop the selection of the Leader of Opposition.”
She also raised questions about the FIR against Abhishek Banerjee. She said, “We had sent a letter from our party. When the Speaker was elected, you brought Sovandeb Chattopadhyay forward as the Leader of Opposition. What does that mean? If he was not going to be the Leader of Opposition, then why was he brought in by the hand?
“In the Speaker’s welcome address, he was also asked to speak as the Leader of Opposition. Now the Speaker is raising questions about a signature mix-up. There is no need for all this. The party makes that decision [who will be Leader of Opposition].”
The Trinamool Congress supremo called on anti-BJP parties at the national level to unite. She said they will meet in Delhi soon.
“I am not there only for the good times; I am there in everyone’s hour of need too. I have a good relationship with all political parties except the BJP. However, I have also stood by those from BJP who spoke against out against BJP.”
She then raised the slogan, “Jiyenge to BJP hata ke jaayenge” [If I live, I will remove BJP from power].
“You cannot stop me. The counting of votes was manipulated in 177 seats. We will protect the Constitution. We will continue to fight against BJP. Our workers and supporters are being attacked.”
Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chairperson said, “Look at the people you have put in charge. What is happening in West Bengal? You must ensure things happen in the proper way.”
