West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  came down heavily upon the BJP over its demand for a separate state in north Bengal and said that she will shed her blood, if need be, but will not allow such attempts to divide the state.

Accusing the BJP of “trying to fan separatism” in the state, ahead of the Lok Sabha election in 2024, the TMC chief asserted that all communities in north Bengal had been living in harmony for decades.

“With elections approaching, the BJP is fanning the demands of separate statehood… sometimes seeking Gorkhaland, and at other times a separate state of North Bengal. I am ready to give my blood but will never allow division of the state,” Banerjee said, addressing a party meeting here.

Referring to a banned terror outfit’s warning over a separate statehood movement, the Chief Minister said such threats do not intimidate her.

“Some people are threatening me, I don’t care. I am not afraid of such threats,” she said, in an apparent reference to a purported video by Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) leader Jeevan Singha.

In a purported video, the authenticity of which could not be independently verified, a masked man claiming to be KLO leader Jeevan Singha, threatened Banerjee of a “bloodbath” if she opposed the demand for a separate Kamtapur.

He also warned the TMC chief against visiting north Bengal.

“We appeal to everyone, including Mamata Banerjee, not to oppose our Kamtapur statehood demand. She mustn’t visit North Bengal. We will intensify our movement in the days to come and seek cooperation from everyone.

“If anyone tries to stop us, the result would be devastating. There will be a bloodbath. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the cause,” the masked insurgent said.