Mamata Banerjee: ‘Trying to import worst elements’: Mamata accuses BJP of bringing ‘paid supporters’ from outside Bengal ahead of polls | India News
File photo: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister O Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Accused on Sunday BJP Besides bringing in “paying supporters” from outside the state to influence the upcoming assembly elections, he also warned his party workers to be vigilant against possible tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).Addressing a press conference at Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s rally in Bhavanipur, Banerjee alleged that the BJP was trying to import both foreign and political thuggery culture in Bengal.“The BJP is not just bringing in voters from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. They are bringing in hordes of paying supporters from those states. And with them, they are trying to import the worst elements of their culture into Bengal,” he said.
Mamata Bhavanipur linked the tension to Shuvendu Adhikari’s nomination rally
Banerjee also referred to BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Subvendu Adhikari’s recent nomination rally in Bhavanipur, claiming that outsiders created chaos during the event.“During Suvendu’s nomination rally in Bhavanipur, these outsiders were let loose. They ran around, tore posters and banners, spat on our campaign material, harassed and molested women, even showed shoes at the holy Maa Kali temple,” he alleged.Stepping up his attack, the TMC supremo said the BJP’s campaign reflected the politics of intimidation and disrespect.“This is the ‘Puribarton’ they want to impose on Bengal. Culture of hooliganism, disrespect for women and contempt for our beliefs and traditions. Bengal rejects this hooliganism with utter contempt,” he added.
EVM alert: ‘Keep 24-hour surveillance’
Banerjee also expressed concern over the security of EVMs and urged booth-level workers to be extra vigilant before and after voting.“Check all EVM machines thoroughly. Booth agents should also check EVMs thoroughly… I know their plan… After voting, under the surveillance of CRPF and central forces, they can go in and change the machines, so we have to keep a 24-hour vigil. You should watch carefully that they don’t hack the EVMs,” the news agency quoted ANI as saying.His comments come amid an increasingly heated election campaign in the state, with both the TMC and the BJP accusing each other of intimidation and trying to influence the electoral process.
Amit Shah responds to BJP’s call to ‘vote without fear’
Banerjee’s attack followed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to West Bengal on April 2, where he campaigned for the BJP and urged voters to oust the TMC from power.Speaking at Shuvendu Adhikari’s nomination submission ceremony, Shah said, “No one should be afraid this time; no goon can stop the voters of Bengal. Everyone should vote fearlessly to uproot the TMC and throw it into the Bay of Bengal.”He also made a direct appeal to voters in Bhavanipur, where Banerjee is contesting.“I appeal to the people of Bengal to help Subvendu Adhikari win this election. We want to have a ‘golden Bengal’, and that is why we have to defeat the TMC,” Shah said, alleging that the ruling party was tainted by corruption.
PM Modi sharpens attack, says TMC ‘hell-bent’ to destroy law and order
The BJP’s attack has also been stepped up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Sunday attacked the Mamata Banerjee government over law and order in the state.Addressing a rally in Cooch Behar, Prime Minister Modi claimed that the TMC government was determined to “funeralize” law and order in West Bengal and said “democracy is bleeding daily on the holy soil of Bengal under the ruthless TMC administration”.He also accused the ruling party of intimidation and warned that “after May 4, the law will take its course”.The prime minister’s comments came days after the alleged roundup of seven judicial officials, including three women, in Malda district for allegations linked to the deletion of voter lists during the SIR exercise.
The TMC alleged that the BJP was trying to create unrest before the polls
The TMC, meanwhile, accused the BJP of deliberately trying to create unrest in the run-up to the polls.Banerjee alleged that the BJP was trying to incite violence and build a case for President’s rule ahead of the polls. He also claimed that the recent Malda “hostage” incident was orchestrated by the BJP.
A fierce fight in Bengal’s elections in two phases
The 294-member West Bengal assembly will go to polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes will take place on May 4. In the last assembly elections of 2021, the Trinamool Congress won a landslide victory with 213 seats, while the BJP emerged as the main opposition with 77 seats. Congress and Left Front did not win a single seat.
