High time for Mamata Banerjee to stop politics over patriotism: BJP

New Delhi [India] August 14 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has always been opposing the Centre's policies and initiatives, adding it is high time to stop politics over patriotism.

"Mamata Banerjee has been opposing the Centre's policies and initiatives even when they ought to have been complimented and welcomed. It is high time to stop politics over patriotism," BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao told ANI.

He further said that the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) circular is encouraging schools to celebrate the Independence moment and remember those who sacrificed their lives for the country.

"There is no need for any State Government to do politics over it. But Mamata Banerjee has been indulging in such politics and people of Bengal will not forgive her. West Bengal has given the best of the freedom fighters during freedom movement," Rao added.

Another BJP leader Sudesh Verma said that just because secularism has come to Central Government it should not become an excuse for any State Government to oppose this.

"This is a format that has been evolved over the period of time. For any function of national significance there is a proper format, a proper procedure that needs to be followed. It has been devised because it inculcates patriotism and it brings a kind of uniformity. Nobody should oppose for the sake of opposing it," he added.

Verma further said that this is happening just because the BJP Government is in centre.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Government has instructed its schools not to follow the Centre's circular on building "mass fervour" around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'New India Mission' and administering a 'Sankalp se Siddhi' pledge to all students.

It has also rejected a suggested format for celebrations to mark Independence Day this year.

Earlier on Sunday, promoting the 'Sankalp se Siddhi' campaign to be launched by the BJP, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said Sunday that this initiative will help in bringing forth a corruption-free India.

While talking to ANI about the initiative, he said, "Prime Minister Modi has given a clarion call to observe 'Sankalp se Siddhi' from 2017 to 2022 to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Quit India Movement to the 75th anniversary of Independence."

He said that the programme will help in achieving the goal of a corruption-free India.

In addition to bolster the programme, BJP has arranged a number of competitions for students across all age groups.

Speaking about the West Bengal government's refusal to follow the initiative, he said that the party wouldn't want to comment on it through media.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the 'Sankalp se Siddhi' programme while addressing the parliament on August 9, the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI