Urges people to ‘stay vigilant against fake promises, election manipulation tactics’
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP during a public rally in Malda, alleging that party workers could try to mislead voters by posing as government representatives to extract bank details.
Addressing the gathering, Banerjee cautioned women to remain vigilant. She alleged that BJP workers may visit households claiming to represent the state government or the ruling Trinamool Congress and promise financial benefits in exchange for bank account details.
“Do not share your account number even by mistake. They will take away your money,” she said, calling it a “trick” to target funds under welfare schemes like Lakshmi Bhandar.
She said, “We had told the Congress several times that we should go to the Election Commission together to protest, but you didn’t go. Today, you’ll field candidates and win elections, but you won’t stand with the people in their difficult times. I know a lot of money comes in during elections. Mothers and sisters, stay alert—the BJP people will come to your homes in the name of the West Bengal government, in the name of the TMC government, and ask for your bank account number, saying they’ll give you money. Don’t give them your account number, even by mistake; they’ll take away the money from your Lakshmi Bhondar. This is their trick.”
The Chief Minister also targeted both the BJP and Congress, claiming there was a tacit understanding between the two parties in West Bengal.
She urged voters to back only the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), warning that supporting other parties could pave the way for the implementation of the NRC and the creation of detention centres.
“The AITC government will not allow even a single person to be sent to detention camps,” Mamata asserted.
Mamata further accused the Centre of using investigative agencies to intimidate political opponents.
Referring indirectly to Union Home Minister Amit Shah as “Mota Bhai”, she claimed that agencies such as the NIA, CBI and ED were being used to pressure candidates and voters.
She alleged that opposition leaders were being threatened with investigations and coerced into supporting the BJP if elected. “They call up people and threaten them with ED and CBI. Sometimes they give bait. Our candidates are being summoned by ED and are being told that if the BJP doesn’t get enough seats, then these candidates, if they win, will have to support them. However, this plan will never work out,” CM Banerjee added.
Escalating her criticism, Banerjee accused the BJP of branding Bengali-speaking people as infiltrators while claiming the party itself was the “biggest infiltrator” during elections.
She also alleged that the BJP was attempting to divide society and undermine democratic rights in the state. “They only spread lies. Prices are rising, but the value of human life is falling,” she said.
“Mota Bhai wants to sell Bengal. He wants to take away the voting rights of the people of Bengal. He wants to create a division among the administrative officials. He wants to torture. Those who have come to power by instigating riots will never understand the problems that people face. We must take revenge against them democratically. They only spread lies. The price of everything has hiked except the lives of people,” she added.
Calling for unity ahead of the elections, Banerjee urged voters to come together to defeat the BJP. “If you want to live peacefully for the next five years, you must unite to stop the BJP,” she said, accusing the party of creating social divisions and disrespecting local culture and food habits.
She said, “The BJP will ruin the country. They don’t respect any religion. They impose a religion that’s manufactured by them. Maa Kali’s prasad includes both fish and meat. What religion is the BJP trying to preach? They first need to understand the culture of Bengal.”
She also alleged that migrant workers from Bengal were facing harassment in BJP-ruled states and claimed efforts were being made to prevent them from returning home to vote. “The day before yesterday, a migrant labourer from Bengal was brutally killed in Rajasthan. Migrant labourers are being stopped from coming back to cast their votes. Train tickets are not being sold to them. Their buses are being stopped in UP. However, you must return. Don’t let anyone take away your rights,” she added.
The West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes set for May 4.
Agencies