After Rahul, now Mamata makes objectionable remark against PM

Days after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called PM Narendra Modi "panauti" (bad luck) while speaking at a rally in poll-bound Rajasthan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said India's World Cup loss happened since a "sinner" came to the finals.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

Addressing a meeting of Trinamool Congress leaders at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, Mamata Banerjee said: "The Indian team played so well that they won all the matches in the World Cup, except the one attended by the sinner." She added that India would have won if the World Cup final had happened in Kolkata or Mumbai, instead of Ahmedabad.

She also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party wanted Team India uniform to be saffronised. "Players resisted, so the India team did not have to wear saffron jerseys during matches. Saffron is the colour of tyagis, but you are bhogis," she said, targeting the BJP.

She also warned the BJP of a tit-for-tat move if Central investigative agencies continue to arrest Trinamool Congress leaders. "If they have four of my MLAs in jail, I have also decided to arrest eight of their people as we have cases against them," she said.

Last month, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested State Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick in connection with the alleged PDS scam.