Mamata Banerjee Hints at Joining Oct 10 Jantar Mantar Rally, Criticizes BJP and EC
Mamata Banerjee said she may attend the opposition’s Jantar Mantar protest on Oct 10 but has not confirmed it, while denouncing the BJP and Election Commission over alleged electoral-roll tampering and expressing solidarity with Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Mamata Banerjee, addressing reporters at NSC Bose International Airport before boarding for Delhi, said she might join the opposition’s Jantar Mantar protest scheduled for Oct 10, but she has not yet confirmed her participation. She reiterated accusations that the BJP and the Election Commission are working together to delete large numbers of voters from West Bengal’s electoral rolls, calling it a joint conspiracy to undermine the poll process.
Banerjee also criticized the Delhi police’s handling of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during recent demonstrations, describing the latter’s treatment as wrong. She announced plans to approach President Droupadi Murmu about the police actions and to gather signatures from leaders across parties. Meanwhile, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh posted on X that Banerjee’s flight experienced multiple unexplained delays, suggesting possible intentional hindrance of her scheduled activities in the capital.
Why it matters
The story shows a major regional leader weighing participation in a national protest against alleged electoral misconduct, highlighting political tensions in India.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage focuses on the Bajrang Dal’s denial of any rally and accuses others of spreading false claims, while centrist coverage highlights Mamata Banerjee’s tentative support for the Jantar Mantar protest and her criticism of the BJP, Election Commission and police.
LEFT
Denial of a planned rally and condemnation of misinformation about it.
CENTER
Banerjee hints at joining the protest, accusing the BJP and Election Commission of voter-roll manipulation and criticising police treatment of opposition leaders.
The left emphasises
- There is no intention to mobilize members for a gathering at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
- The group opposes disorderly protests and calls claims of a rally "unfounded".
- It accuses certain individuals of spreading misleading information.
How this story developed
- Oct 2 Youth party and student groups rally to demand resignation of India's election chief
- Oct 5 Delhi police deployed roughly 5,000 officers and paramilitary units ahead of two anti‑CEC marches.
- Oct 6 Opposition MPs including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were briefly detained during a protest march toward the Election Commission.
- Oct 6 When police barred the INDIA bloc march to the Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka redirected the demonstration to the Akashvani Bhavan building.
- Oct 7 Cockroach Janta Party filed a formal notice with Delhi police about an Oct 10 Jantar Mantar protest demanding the CEC’s resignation.
- Oct 7 Police detained Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and other lawmakers during the protest and released them later that evening.
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