Kolkata, April 25: TMC chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that the BJP has deployed its entire machinery to defeat the regional party in the West Bengal assembly elections as almost the entire Union cabinet and CMs of NDA-ruled states are camping in the poll-bound state.
Addressing an election rally at Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Banerjee accused the BJP of giving false promises to migrant workers from West Bengal employed outside the state.
“The BJP is desperate, with 50 helicopters flying into West Bengal as almost the entire Union cabinet, from the PM to home, railway and defence ministers, as well as CMs of 19 NDA-ruled states camping in a single state – West Bengal,” the chief minister said.
Compare this with only three helicopters being used by the TMC to campaign across the state. But all this hype and sound and fury will end in a whimper on May 4, she said.
“On top of this, we are seeing central forces wherever we are going. They are bringing in armoured vehicles which are not put to use where such vehicles are needed,” Banerjee said.
On Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s reported statement that “TMC-aided goons would be hung upside down after the results”, she said, “As a Union minister and a responsible leader, you cannot utter such words. You are speaking in the language of terror. I know no action will be taken against you. But, I have asked our men to videograph his speech and submit the same to the court.”
Alleging that 400 people were brought from outside to her constituency Bhabanipur, she said, “They were driven out. I will ask everyone to keep a tab on every hotel and guest house to identify such people who are helping the BJP.”
In a jibe at the PM, she said he went on a scripted boat ride arranged by the Army on the Hooghly River.
“You said we have been peeved at your eating ‘jhalmuri’ but we know you had got it prepared at home and everything was scripted as the camera was put up already at the Jhargram shop,” she said.
TMC will return to power with 225 seats: Abhishek
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday asserted that his party will return to power in West Bengal after winning 225-odd seats in the 294-member assembly.
Addressing an election rally in Bally, Banerjee, who is considered number 2 in the TMC hierarchy, also vowed to uproot the BJP from the Centre within two to three years.
He also claimed that the Bengali voters’ response to the “harassment” caused by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls will be known after May 4, when election results will be announced.
The first phase of voting was held on April 23, and the second leg is slated for April 29.
“We have crossed the century mark in the first phase, and we will score a double century in the second. We will not fall below 225 seats,” the TMC MP said.
The Mamata Banerjee-led party won 213 seats in the elections five years ago.
“We are forming the government for the fourth term here, and we will uproot the BJP from Delhi in the next two-three years,” he added Targeting Prime Minister’s visit to the Ramakrishna Math and Mission headquarters at Belur on the day of the first phase of voting, Banerjee said Modi should return for prayers after May 4.
Visiting the Belur Math, founded by Swami Vivekananda, or having Bengal’s popular street food ‘jhalmuri’ during the election season is not enough.
“Don’t just remember Swamiji during elections. After May 4, come back to pray. And why only jhalmuri? Kolkata’s fuchka, ghugni, sweets and rosogolla are also good,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd. (PTI)
