'Democracy bulldozed': Mamata Banerjee blames BJP for Maharashtra political crisis

Citing the current state of affairs in Maharastra, Banerjee opined that the democracy was being bulldozed and blamed the BJP for the present situation in the Western part of the country.

“In India, I doubt if any democracy works here! Where is democracy if they bulldoze a democratic government! We want justice for the people and for Uddhav Thackeray. After Maharashtra, they will topple the other governments too,” Banerjee told a media conference.

Banerjee, who is also the chairperson of Trinamool Congress, claimed that the MLAs were being bought through hawala money.

She also claimed that for the Presidential election (to be held on July 18), BJP may not have enough numbers to win and for that, it was trying to topple an elected government in Maharashtra in an "unethical and unconstitutional manner."

“From my party, 200 people have been given notice by CBI and ED, but for BJP nothing happens. There is no limit to their money, is it not hawala? Is it not a scam that one ruling party is buying MLAs?” asked Banerjee.

She also asked the BJP to send the MLAs to Bengal instead, where they will be extended with good hospitality.

"Why are you disturbing the Assam government when they are facing floods? Send them (the MLAs) to Bengal and we will extend good hospitality and take care of democracy, too," she maintained.

The TMC supremo alleged that in the Tripura by-polls the people could not cast their votes freely.

"Tripura saw the death of democracy in the by-polls today. When will the BJP take accountability for their actions?" she asked.

Earlier in the day, the Assam Pradesh Trinamool Congress (TMC) protested against the alleged horse-trading outside the Guwahati hotel where rebel Shiv Sena MLAs from Maharashtra are stationed.

The protest was led by TMC state president Ripun Bora.

"The ignorance of CM Himanta Biswa is pretty evident. As the state & people of Assam are reeling with the extreme flood, CM is busy making lavish arrangements for political leaders of different parties," the TMC said.