'Nothing but hypocrisy': Mamata Banarjee slams BJP over ‘Constitution murder day’; says TMC won’t take part in observance

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday criticised BJP-led government, slamming its decision to observe June 25 as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’ (Constitution Murder Day), calling it a “mockery” and “hypocrisy of the highest order”.“Those who don't respect Constitution are talking about upholding its morality,” the Trinamool Congress chief said. announcing that the West Bengal government would not participate in the Centre’s observance of the day.“This is nothing but hypocrisy. Those who don't respect the Constitution are now talking about upholding its morality. It is a mockery," PTI quoted the TMC chief.Last year, the Centre had announced that June 25, the day Emergency was imposed in 1975, would be officially marked as ‘Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas’, commemorating what it describes as an attack on democracy during the Congress regime.Banerjee, however, argued that the BJP was guilty of doing exactly what it claims to oppose.“The manner in which BJP is trying to change and undermine Constitution, we can observe 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' everyday,” she said. “Was toppling of democratically elected govts by BJP in Maharashtra and Bihar not attack on constitution,” she further added.Banerjee also took a swipe at the central government’s handling of the economy, pointing to the demonetisation exercise of 2016 as a turning point that hurt the country deeply.

“The manner in which they destroyed the country's economy in the name of demonetisation, November 8 should also be observed as ‘Economy Destruction Day’,” she said.Taking a sharp dig at the Centre, she questioned, “Who is the prime minister of the country, Narendra Modi or Amit Shah? It looks like Amit Shah is running the country.”The further accused BJP of “bulldozing democracy” by compromising key institutions such as the Election Commission and the media, and questioned the actual seat of power in the country.