Mamata criticises Centre on use of lotus in G-20 logo
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the tacit use of national flower lotus, which is also the symbol of the ruling BJP at the Centre, as the logo of G-20 Summit to be held in the country next year.
Hours before attending an all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi for the international event’s preparation, the Trinamul Congress supremo prescribed the Centre to use any other national symbol.
“I have also seen the logo. I am not saying anything since this is a matter related to our country. It also does not augur well for the country if the issue is discussed outside. But it cannot be denied that a political party has the same logo,” she said at the Kolkata Airport before flying to the national capital.
Ms Banerjee pointed out, “There are so many other national symbols which could have been used in the logo. Even if I do not raise this, others may do it because it is not a non-issue. It is an important issue. The Centre should look into this.”
She, however, ruled out a one-to-one meeting with the PM during her national capital tour this time.
Ms Banerjee also mocked PM Modi as one of the “special people” for his roadshow during the first phase of the Assembly election on December 1 in his home state, Gujarat, amid the Model Code of Conduct of the Election Commission.
The CM argued, “We, as a political party, abide by the rules of the EC. On election day, roadshows are banned. But they (Modi and the BJP) are special people! What do you expect if the PM leads a rally on election day? It could be 100 on 100! But is it fair?”
She added, “It is the duty of the EC. What the Supreme Court said, I do agree. For the EC also there should be some system for nomination of the Election Commissioners.”