After endorsing 'Mamata Banerjee for PM', Dilip Ghosh says 'impossible'
West Bengal BJP Chief Dilip Ghosh, who recently said state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee could become Prime Minister, has now said there is no such possibility. Ghosh, a staunch critic of Banerjee, now said he was just replying to a question and would give her best wishes if she became the PM. "However, there is no possibility at all of it happening," he said.
Backstory: In shocker, Ghosh earlier said Banerjee's chances are bright
Extending birthday wishes to Mamata, Ghosh earlier said she's the only Bengali who has bright chances of serving as PM. "She needs to remain fit because if there is any Bengali who has the chance to be the PM from this state, she is the one. She must remain healthy," he said. He added former CM and CPI(M) stalwart Jyoti Basu lost his chance.
Jyoti Basu lost chance, Pranab Mukherjee became President: Ghosh
"We can surely have one after her (Mamata). Her name is at the number one spot in the list... We lost out on Jyoti Basu...his party didn't allow him. Honorable Pranab babu became the President, so a Bengali should now be the PM," Ghosh said.
Now, Ghosh says statement wasn't to be taken seriously
Ghosh's statements were shocking considering the bitter battle between his party and Trinamool Congress. But in what seemed like more of damage control, Ghosh said his previous statements should be taken with a dose of humor. Reportedly, Ghosh also added TMC has no presence outside West Bengal so Banerjee's chances are grim. Notably, in 2014, TMC won 34 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats.
BJP and TMC lock horns over former's rath yatra
Meanwhile, BJP is throwing all its might to conduct a rath yatra to be headlined by president Amit Shah in West Bengal this month. TMC doesn't want the event to be held in the state and cited it could fan communal tensions. In soup after denial of permission by Calcutta HC, BJP approached the Supreme Court. The matter has been listed for January 8.
