Asserting that if the upcoming Assembly poll in West Bengal was held in a free and fair manner, the BJP would be reduced to zero, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that forces from the BJP-ruled States were being sent to West Bengal from to influence voting.
“Why are you sending police from Uttar Pradesh to influence votes? I am well aware that forces are being sent here from BJP-ruled States,” Ms. Banerjee said, addressing a public meeting in Purulia.
With the State gearing up for an eight-phase Assembly poll, beginning March 27, more than 300 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces have reached the State.
The Chief Minister addressed three public rallies in Purulia where she repeatedly asked for sealing the borders with Jharkhand. “People are coming from Jharkhand to influence votes. You should keep up the vigil and if you see any outsider please resist them, inform the police,” Ms. Banerjee said.
The Trinamool Congress chairperson urged the police to increase “Naka checking” and alleged that vehicles with Central government stickers were going around distributing money. The allegation of distribution of money to influence voters was raised by political parties, including Trinamool Congress, against BJP’s candidate from Jhargram, Sukhmoy Satpathi.
Ms. Banerjee also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for closing public service undertakings. “BJP government is closing all central concerns. Only BJP and Modi’s ‘factory of lies’ alone will remain” she said.
Ms. Banerjee also tried rake up the “outsider” versus “insider” debate saying that those speaking in Hindi are not from West Bengal.
Ms. Banerjee addressed three public meetings at Para, Kashipur and Raghunathpur in Purulia district that goes to polls on March 27.
Another star campaigner of Trinamool Congress, Abhishek Banerjee also held public meeting at Keshpur and Chandrakona and held a road show at Kanthi Uttar and Kanthi Dakshin.
Mr. Banerjee who held a road show near the residence of BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari dared the BJP leadership for a debate on the development ushered in by the Trinamool Congress government in the State.
