By Express News Service
KOLKATA: Mamata Banerjee spares no chance to accuse BJP of wrongdoing. On the last day of campaigning before the second polls on April 1, the West Bengal Chief Minister said the saffron party has brought in people from adjoining states to terrorise voters.
She said that people from her constituency were hounded out by BJP goons and urged Election Commission to take note. “Villagers are being hounded out of Balarampur by BJP goons. The EC must ensure their safety,” she said. Mamata was also seen consoling family members of those allegedly hounded out.
She sounded confident of a massive win. In a veiled threat to her opponent Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata said, “They (police forces from outside) will be here only for a few days. Make no mistake, we will be back and give the betrayers a befitting reply.”
Mamata also alerted the people of Nandigram of possible attacks. “They (BJP) have plans to kill their own people and pass it off as our handiwork to engineer riots. We have information. Be on guard,” she said.“Nandigram stood united in the battle against forcible land acquisition in which people from all communities participated. Be on guard against any bid to fuel tension by keeping any object in places of worship. We are united.”
Referring to the controversy over an audio clip in which Mamata was heard cajoling a BJP leader from Nandigram to help her win the seat, she said that she had indeed called him up after learning that he wanted to talk to her. “I told him to keep well, to take care of his health. So what is my crime?” the TMC supremo said.
“As a candidate of the constituency, I can seek the help of any voter, I can call up anyone. There is no harm in that,” the TMC supremo said. “If someone makes the conversation viral, that is an offence. Action should be taken against those who did that.”
A controversy erupted amid the first phase of polling after BJP released an audio clip in which Mamata was heard talking to a former TMC leader who has joined BJP. “You should help us win Nandigram. I know you have some grievances, but that’s due mostly to the Adhikaris who didn’t let me come here.”
