“Modi Ji, This Isn’t Personal”: Mamata Banerjee’s Attack On Pegasus Row

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee involved the opposition to unite against the BJP today, pointing to the “threat” posed to democracy by what she called a “surveillance state” within the aftermath of the Pegasus scandal.
The Chief Minister, who was addressing the people online on Martyr’s Day — a primary since her landslide victory within the state elections — said she would attend Delhi on July 27 or 28 and can be available for an opposition meeting if one is held.

A number of opposition leaders heard her address in Delhi and other cities where it had been played survive giant television screens.

“Three things make democracy — media, judiciary and therefore the committee — and Pegasus has captured all three,” said Ms Banerjee, whose nephew and senior party leader Abhishek Banerjee was also a possible target for surveillance, consistent with the group of 17 media organisations across the planet that investigated the leaked surveillance lists.

Calling the Israeli military grade spyware “dangerous” and “ferocious”, Ms Banerjee said she cannot ask other opposition leaders now as her phone is additionally tapped.

“I cannot ask you people. To Sharad Pawar, Delhi Chief Minister, Goa Chief Minister… I even have put leucoplast on my (phone) camera. This government should even be plastered over,” she said.

Appealing to the Supreme Court to return to the nation’s aid, she said, “Save the country, the democracy. Can’t you’re taking suo motu cognisance as all phones are tapped? found out a panel to probe… Only judiciary can save country”.