Tag: Mamata Banerjee

  • Centre favouring BJP states in vaccination, says Mamata Banerjee

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA:  West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the Centre of favouring some states over the others when it comes to vaccine distribution.  She also charged that New Delhi has diverted the supply of medical oxygen meant for West Bengal to the BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.

    “Gujarat has been given enough doses to vaccinate 60 per cent of its population. Other states are being allotted only enough doses to cover about 15 to 20 per cent of their population,” she said while addressing the media.  She said in Gujarat, vaccines are being administered to people in the BJP offices. 

    Attacking the Centre over oxygen supply, the Trinamool Congress supremo said, “SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd) used to supply oxygen to West Bengal. There was an instruction yesterday from the Centre that SAIL would now supply the same oxygen to Uttar Pradesh. Is West Bengal a beggar? When it comes to election, they come here with an aim to capture Bengal. When it comes to an oxygen supply, they are diverting it to other states’’.

    The chief minister said the state government has procured 5,000 cylinders of oxygen and send them to Covid-19 hospitals. She again blamed the Centre for India’s present Covid situation. She charged that the Centre’s mismanagement has driven the country to a crisis situation. Mamata also accused the BJP leaders of spreading Covid-19 in the state by bringing outsiders to attend election events.   

    She, once again attacked the Election Commission, over its refusal to club the last three phases of the Assembly election. “The Commission to listens to the BJP. They banned roadshows and imposed restrictions after the Prime Minister cancelled his four rallies on Thursday,’’ she said.

    On Friday, the campaign for the seventh phase of the West Bengal elections ended. Thirty-four assembly constituencies are scheduled to go to the polls on April 26. A total of 86,78,221 voters 44,44,634 male and 42,33,358 women and 229 from the third gender will exercise their franchise. The focus in this phase of polling will be on seats in the southern part of the city, mainly Bhabanipore which is the stronghold of the Trinamool Congress.

  • Would have taken part in Covid meeting between PM Modi, CMs had I been invited: Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI
    DURGAPUR: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said she would have participated in the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the chief ministers of states with the highest burden of COVID-19 cases, had she been invited.

    Addressing a press conference here, Banerjee said she heard that Friday’s meeting on the COVID situation was meant for the worst-hit states, and hence she was not told about it.

    Chairing a meeting on the COVID-19 situation with chief ministers of 11 states and Union Territories with the maximum COVID-19 cases, Modi called for working together to fight the pandemic with collective power.

    The Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that the Centre’s “inept handling has led to the present situation”.

    “On March 7, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had said COVID is on its way out. It means that the central government had no inkling about the impending crisis. It did not act on the recommendations of the World Health Organization to ramp up the stock of oxygen,” she asserted.

    Alleging that Gujarat got 60 per cent of free vaccines, while other states received a little, she said, “We have nothing to say against one of the worst-hit states, but there should be a uniform policy.”

    She said the Centre could have arranged for free vaccination for every citizen of the country by spending around Rs 20,000 crore but it did not.

    “When you (BJP leaders) have spent lakhs of rupees to book hotels, guest houses, charter flights and choppers and offered cash to voters to capture Bengal and hatch a conspiracy to win the elections here, could you not spend Rs 20,000 crore for the health of every Indian?” she asked.

    Banerjee said the state will now procure additional 5,000 oxygen cylinders for hospital use.

    The CM said the Centre has adopted a “step-motherly attitude” towards West Bengal in allocating oxygen cylinders.

    Banerjee alleged that the BJP was disrupting the polling by involving central forces.

    “Seven of my polling agents were kidnapped yesterday at Jagaddal to disrupt free and fair voting. Nothing was done. Security forces were influenced to open fire in another area,” she claimed.

    Asserting that her party was ready to extend all cooperation to the Election Commission, Banerjee said, “I have cancelled today’s public meetings after the EC issued fresh directives on Thursday.”

    Noting that the COVID safety norms were being flouted in West Bengal during campaigning, the Election Commission banned roadshows and vehicle rallies in the state with immediate effect and said no public meeting having more than 500 people would be allowed.

    “The EC always issues orders late in the evening, perhaps keeping in mind the itinerary of the PM. But, we are quick to abide by the norms as we work for the interest of people,” she claimed.

    Six rounds of the eight-phased assembly elections in West Bengal have already taken place, and the remaining two will be held on April 26 and 29.

    The CM reaffirmed that the Election Commission should have conducted the assembly polls in five phases by clubbing the last three phases into one and said that “the poll panel acted at the behest of the BJP.”

  • Modi mentioned 2018 Asansol riots in speech to provoke voters, says Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI
    ASANSOL/TAPAN?RATUA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded people of 2018 Asansol riots during his rally last week to “provoke” voters amid the ongoing elections, and asserted that it was “unbecoming” of someone of his stature.

    The TMC boss, who addressed three rallies during the day, said it was a “matter of shame” that the PM, with his “provocative” remarks, tried to influence people.

    “You, members of different communities, are living in harmony. The other day, however, the prime minister visited Asansol and made many objectionable comments. He brought up the issue of riots and made provocative statements. This doesn’t befit a PM, or a home minister,” she said.

    Modi, during his address, had referred to the Asansol riots in 2018 on the occasion of Ram Navami, and indirectly blamed the TMC dispensation for the violence.

    Reminiscing that an imam of a local mosque, who lost his son in the riots, had said he didn’t want any more bloodshed or death, the TMC supremo said, “The imam’s words stand in contrast to what our PM says.

    “Even as people of different communities live here in peace, the PM rakes up the issue of riots.”

    Claiming that she “has come to know that a photo of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was removed from the podium, minutes before the PM began his public meeting in Asansol”, the CM said the media should be able to verify the same.

    “Kavi Nazrul Islam is the national poet of Bangladesh but he was born in Bengal, in Churulia village. We have named a university and the Andal airport after him. He is our pride,” she stated.

    Earlier in the day, Banerjee, during her rally in Tapan area of Dakshin Dinajpur district, slammed the BJP-led Centre over differential pricing of COVID-19 vaccines, and said that the Union government, flush with money collected under PM Cares Fund, should provide vaccines for free.

    Pointing out that Covishield is priced at Rs 150 for the Centre, Rs 400 for states and Rs 600 for private hospitals, the TMC supremo said, “Is it a joke? Why is that one vaccine being sold at different rates? Vaccines should not be commercialised.

    “The Centre has a lot of money in PM Cares Fund but it wouldn’t provide vaccines free of cost. Why couldn’t they (central leaders) do the needful all these months?” Alleging that “this COVID-19 rage was Modi’s contribution” to the country, she said, “So far, you (PM) have done nothing, you did not alert people or take necessary precautions when there was time.

    Now, amid the rise in cases, you are asking people to buy doses and get vaccinated!” Citing Israel, where masks are no longer mandatory, as an example, Banerjee said, “What happened in India? Until recently, the Modi government did not allow states to undertake the vaccination drive on their own, and that has only led to a delay in the process.”

    Underscoring that the TMC government has administered 43 lakh doses, she said, “As of now, we are inoculating 40,000-50,000 people every day. The state has sought one crore more shots.”

    She gave assurance that her party, following re- election, will administer vaccines for free to all residents of the state over 18 years of age.

    Banerjee also rued the fact that people are suffering due to shortage of medical oxygen, and said, “The PM held several meetings with the chief ministers. However, no master plan was prepared to ensure smooth supply of oxygen in the midst of this crisis.”

    Contending that the BJP’s “game plan to capture Bengal” will never succeed, the TMC boss said, “You (saffron party leaders) can rig one or two booths with the help of central forces, but not all.”

    Claiming that she has information that the central forces opened fire “at Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas district”, when polling for the sixth phase of elections was underway, Banerjee said, “Such instances of firing, and deliberate lathicharge on voters should immediately stop.”

    She further stated that the high court has rightly told the Election Commission to take appropriate measures to conduct polls amid the COVID-19 surge.

    “The EC did not keep our request to club the last three phases of polls into one but instead curtailed campaign time from 10 am to 7 pm.

    The poll panel has also changed SPs and DMs to aid the saffron party.

    No matter what they do, the BJP will lose,” the feisty leader said.

    In Ratua area of Malda, she iterated that the Left, Congress and the ISF, which together have formed the Sanjukta Morcha, are “stooges” of the BJP.

    “You may have earlier voted for the Congress or the Left. Now, they have formed the Sanjukta Morcha. All of them are stooges of the BJP. Please vote for the Trinamool Congress to prevent the BJP from seizing power.”

    Banerjee asked the central security forces to perform ‘Rajdharma’ and not intimidate voters.

    “Today, I heard CAPF personnel beat up a block-level officer in Uttar Dinajpur district on the issue of setting up a fan (at a polling booth). I don’t know if an FIR has been filed in the matter. Such instances are unfortunate,” she added.

  • Centre’s new COVID vaccine strategy biased towards market, anti-people: Mamata to PM Modi

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: Terming the Centre’s new ‘liberalised and accelerated COVID-19 vaccination’ strategy is biased in favour of the market and against the interest of people, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make it free for all.

    In her second letter to Modi in a week on the Centre’s inoculation policy, Banerjee also said that manufacturers should not do business with vaccines at this hour of crisis.

    The Modi government on Monday announced that everyone above 18 years of age would be eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine from May 1.

    “I wish to invite your kind personal attention to the recently announced GoI policy on liberalised and accelerated COVID-19 vaccination with Phase 3 from May 1. I am afraid this is highly discriminatory and anti-people.”

    “Moreover, it appears that there is a bias in favour of (the) market against common people’s interest,” Banerjee’s letter read.

    Bengal polls HIGHLIGHTS 

    Every Indian should get the vaccine free of cost, she said in her communication to the prime minister.

    “There is no place for making business by the vaccine manufacturers and instead efforts should be directed towards good of people without discrimination. And also fixing the rate for private hospitals at Rs 600 per dose is not only discriminatory but also unhealthy as it is likely to trigger unscrupulous mechanisms in the market,” she added.

    Serum Institute of India on Wednesday announced that its Covishield vaccine will cost private hospitals Rs 600 per dose and state governments Rs 400, a rate which will also apply to central government procurement once the existing contract for Rs 150 a dose ends.

    In another letter to Modi on April 20, Banerjee described the Centre’s vaccine policy as hollow and without substance.

  • Bengal polls: Illegal immigrants actual outsiders, vote bank for Mamata, says Amit Shah at rally

    By PTI
    HARIRAMPUR: Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday sought to punch a hole in West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s oft-repeated insider-outsider narative, alleging that her “vote bank of illegal immigrants”, on whose support she wants to rule the state, were the actual outsiders.

    Shah also accused Banerjee of having no other agenda apart from hurling abuses at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and him.

    “She dedicates 10 minutes of her speech in every election rally to abusing the PM and myself. I am the country’s home minister, can’t I talk to people? How am I an outsider?” he said at a public meeting in Harirampur constituency in Dakshin Dinajpur district, which goes to polls in the seventh phase on April 26.

    Click here for LIVE updates on Bengal polls 2021

    “I was born in this country and will be cremated on this holy land after my demise. But, your vote bank of illegal immigrants are the outsiders on whose support you want to rule Bengal,” he added.

    Shah claimed “these outsiders” were also the vote banks for the Left and the Congress.

    He said if the BJP is voted to power in West Bengal, it will ensure that nobody can illegally cross into the state through the borders and jeopardize its security.

    Asserting that Banerjee will have to quit after counting votes of the assembly elections on May 2, the home minister said the new BJP government in the state will grant citizenship to refugees.

    He also alleged that North Bengal faced a step- motherly treatment from the Left Front and TMC governments, and assured that steps will be taken for the development of the region once the saffron party forms government.

  • Bengal polls: Modi govt has enough money but won’t provide vaccines free of cost, says Mamata at rally

    By PTI
    TAPAN: Asserting that the Centre should not allow differential pricing of COVID-19 vaccines, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said people should be able to avail the shots free of cost.

    Banerjee, during a rally here, claimed that the Narendra Modi government, despite having enough money in its coffers, is “reluctant” to provide vaccines free of cost.

    Pointing out that Covishield is priced at Rs 150 for the Centre, Rs 400 for states and Rs 600 for private hospitals, the TMC supremo said, “Is it a joke? Why is that one vaccine is being sold at different rates? Vaccines should not be commercialised.

    “The Centre has a lot of money in PM Cares Fund but it wouldn’t provide vaccines free of cost. Why couldn’t they (central leaders) do the needful all these months?”

    Click here for LIVE updates on Bengal polls 2021

    Alleging that “this COVID-19 rage was Modi’s contribution” to the country, she said, “So far, you (PM) have done nothing, you did not alert people or take necessary precautions when there was time. Now, amid the rise in cases, you are asking people to buy doses and get vaccinated!”

    Citing Israel, where masks are no longer mandatory, as an example, Banerjee said, “What happened in India? Until recently, the Modi government did not allow states to undertake the vaccination drive on their own, and that has only led to a delay in the process.”

    Underscoring that the TMC government has administered 43 lakh doses, she said, “As of now, we are inoculating 40,000-50,000 people every day. The state has sought one crore more shots.”

    She gave assurance that her government will administer vaccines for free to people above 18 years of age after May 5.

    Banerjee urged voters to rise above religious differences and “prevent divisive forces such as the BJP to gain a strong foothold in Bengal — which is the land of Tagore, Nazrul and other luminaries”.

  • Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee slams BJP government over COVID vaccine price disparity

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: Hitting out at the BJP-led Centre over the disparity in the price of vaccines being supplied to the Union government, states and private hospitals, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said rates should be the same for every buyer.

    Mocking the BJP over its slogan of ‘One nation, one party, one leader’, she stressed that every Indian needs vaccine free of cost, regardless of their age and location.

    “One nation, one party, one leader shouts BJP all the time but to save lives they can’t have one price for the vaccine. Every Indian needs a free vaccine, regardless of age, caste, creed, location. GoI must fix ONE price for Covid vaccine irrespective of who pays Centre or the States,” the TMC supremo tweeted.

    The Serum Institute of India on Wednesday announced that prices for its vaccine ‘Covishield’ have been fixed at Rs 400 per dose for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals.

    The Pune-based company sells Covishield to the Centre at Rs 150 a dose.

    West Bengal on Wednesday registered its highest single-day spike of 10,784 new COVID-19 cases, which took the tally in the state to 6,88,956.

    The death toll rose to 10,710 after 58 fresh fatalities were reported.

  • ‘Second COVID wave is Modi-made disaster’: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee rules out lockdown

    By PTI
    CHANCHAL/HARIRAMPUR/BALURGHAT (WEST BENGAL): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday sharpened her attack on the prime minister over the resurgence of Covid-19, terming it a “Modi-made disaster” and demanded that he quit if unable to provide adequate medical supplies to combat the disease.

    She also ruled out the possibility of a lockdown in the state amid spurting COVID-19 cases and said a universal vaccination drive for people aged 18 years and above will start from May 5. She alleged that 65 per cent of the drugs manufactured in the country for tackling the pandemic have already been exported.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic had subsided in the country but has surged in a second wave owing to the monumental failure of the central government and negligence and total incompetence on its part,” she said addressing public meetings at Chanchal in Malda and at Harirampur in Dakshin Dinajpur districts.

    As the Election Commission did not accede to Trinamool Congress’ request to hold the last three of the eight-phase election in West Bengal on a single day, Banerjee said she is forced to combat the sharp rise in infections in the state as its chief minister as well campaign for Trinamool Congress, her party.

    Later, addressing a press conference in Malda, she said a lockdown will not be imposed but underscored the need for following COVID-appropriate behaviour. “We are not in favour of a lockdown. We want everyone to adhere to COVID norms such as wearing masks, social distancing and using sanitisers. We don’t want people to go back to those days of staying back at home. Lockdown is not a solution as it takes a heavy toll on people, jobs and economy,” she said.

    She also said she will write a “strong letter” to Modi over “discriminatory” prices of COVID vaccines to be supplied by manufacturers to the Centre and states. The chief minister said around one crore people have so far been vaccinated against COVID in the state.

    ALSO READ | ‘Mamata providing misleading information on Centre’s COVID-19 measures’: Dilip Ghosh

    Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi at her election rallies, Banerjee said, “The country is facing a Modi-made disaster. Modi Babu will have to take responsibility. Why medicines to treat COVID-19 are not available? You have to provide medicines or leave the chair. Either you control Corona or move out.”

    “The second COVID wave is more intense. There are no injections or oxygen. Vaccines and medicines are being shipped abroad even as there is a scarcity of these items in the country. It is not a man-made disaster, it is Modi made,” she earlier told a rally at Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur district.

    Alleging that 65 per cent of drugs manufactured in the country to treat coronavirus have been exported, she said, while medicines may be given to other countries, it has to be also ensured that Indians get adequate supply on a priority basis.

    “The BJP is attempting to break the spine of Bengal (but) we (TMC) have resolved to break its backbone,” the feisty TMC supremo claimed, adding that none other than her party had the strength to fight Modi. “Bengal is the land of Royal Bengal Tiger and we fight like one,” Banerjee asserted.

    The chief minister claimed that her government has done a lot for the welfare of Rajbanshis, an ethnic group inhabiting parts of North Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya, and minorities in the state. Banerjee urged the people “not to allow division of votes” and to unitedly support the TMC.

    She said that if the TMC is re-elected for a third consecutive term, her government will arrange soft loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education.

    Addressing a gathering in the Muslim-dominated Malda district, Banerjee asked the electorate to cast their votes in favour of the TMC irrespective of their religious beliefs as it is the “only party which has not allowed any division on grounds of religion”.

    There is “no one else in the market” that can provide a government which will protect religious faith and rights of all people other than the TMC, Banerjee asserted and urged people not to divide anti-BJP votes by supporting the Congress or the Left Front.

    Earlier addressing an election rally at Balurghat, the TMC chief asserted that West Bengal will be run only by a “Bengal engine government” and not by “Modi’s double-engine”. “We will not allow Gujarat to capture our state or run it from Delhi. Bengal will rule Bengal,” she said.

    ALSO WATCH:

    The term “double-engine government” often used by BJP leaders denotes the government of the same party at the Centre and the state. The TMC chief also urged people not to vote for Left- Congress-ISF alliance candidates claiming that voting for them will strengthen the BJP’s hand.

    She said that her administration is finding it difficult to set up safe homes for COVID patients as many government buildings are being used to house central forces. Banerjee claimed that the BJP is saying different things at different places on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

  • ‘Second COVID wave is Modi-made disaster’: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee rules out lockdown

    By PTI
    CHANCHAL/HARIRAMPUR/BALURGHAT (WEST BENGAL): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday sharpened her attack on the prime minister over the resurgence of Covid-19, terming it a “Modi-made disaster” and demanded that he quit if unable to provide adequate medical supplies to combat the disease.

    She also ruled out the possibility of a lockdown in the state amid spurting COVID-19 cases and said a universal vaccination drive for people aged 18 years and above will start from May 5. She alleged that 65 per cent of the drugs manufactured in the country for tackling the pandemic have already been exported.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic had subsided in the country but has surged in a second wave owing to the monumental failure of the central government and negligence and total incompetence on its part,” she said addressing public meetings at Chanchal in Malda and at Harirampur in Dakshin Dinajpur districts.

    As the Election Commission did not accede to Trinamool Congress’ request to hold the last three of the eight-phase election in West Bengal on a single day, Banerjee said she is forced to combat the sharp rise in infections in the state as its chief minister as well campaign for Trinamool Congress, her party.

    Later, addressing a press conference in Malda, she said a lockdown will not be imposed but underscored the need for following COVID-appropriate behaviour. “We are not in favour of a lockdown. We want everyone to adhere to COVID norms such as wearing masks, social distancing and using sanitisers. We don’t want people to go back to those days of staying back at home. Lockdown is not a solution as it takes a heavy toll on people, jobs and economy,” she said.

    She also said she will write a “strong letter” to Modi over “discriminatory” prices of COVID vaccines to be supplied by manufacturers to the Centre and states. The chief minister said around one crore people have so far been vaccinated against COVID in the state.

    ALSO READ | ‘Mamata providing misleading information on Centre’s COVID-19 measures’: Dilip Ghosh

    Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi at her election rallies, Banerjee said, “The country is facing a Modi-made disaster. Modi Babu will have to take responsibility. Why medicines to treat COVID-19 are not available? You have to provide medicines or leave the chair. Either you control Corona or move out.”

    “The second COVID wave is more intense. There are no injections or oxygen. Vaccines and medicines are being shipped abroad even as there is a scarcity of these items in the country. It is not a man-made disaster, it is Modi made,” she earlier told a rally at Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur district.

    Alleging that 65 per cent of drugs manufactured in the country to treat coronavirus have been exported, she said, while medicines may be given to other countries, it has to be also ensured that Indians get adequate supply on a priority basis.

    “The BJP is attempting to break the spine of Bengal (but) we (TMC) have resolved to break its backbone,” the feisty TMC supremo claimed, adding that none other than her party had the strength to fight Modi. “Bengal is the land of Royal Bengal Tiger and we fight like one,” Banerjee asserted.

    The chief minister claimed that her government has done a lot for the welfare of Rajbanshis, an ethnic group inhabiting parts of North Bengal, Assam and Meghalaya, and minorities in the state. Banerjee urged the people “not to allow division of votes” and to unitedly support the TMC.

    She said that if the TMC is re-elected for a third consecutive term, her government will arrange soft loans of up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education.

    Addressing a gathering in the Muslim-dominated Malda district, Banerjee asked the electorate to cast their votes in favour of the TMC irrespective of their religious beliefs as it is the “only party which has not allowed any division on grounds of religion”.

    There is “no one else in the market” that can provide a government which will protect religious faith and rights of all people other than the TMC, Banerjee asserted and urged people not to divide anti-BJP votes by supporting the Congress or the Left Front.

    Earlier addressing an election rally at Balurghat, the TMC chief asserted that West Bengal will be run only by a “Bengal engine government” and not by “Modi’s double-engine”. “We will not allow Gujarat to capture our state or run it from Delhi. Bengal will rule Bengal,” she said.

    ALSO WATCH:

    The term “double-engine government” often used by BJP leaders denotes the government of the same party at the Centre and the state. The TMC chief also urged people not to vote for Left- Congress-ISF alliance candidates claiming that voting for them will strengthen the BJP’s hand.

    She said that her administration is finding it difficult to set up safe homes for COVID patients as many government buildings are being used to house central forces. Banerjee claimed that the BJP is saying different things at different places on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

  • ‘Mamata providing misleading information on Centre’s COVID-19 measures’: Dilip Ghosh

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: Alleging that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was carrying out a “false propaganda” to belittle the Centre’s measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh urged people to steer clear of all “misleading information” provided by her.

    Trashing Banerjee’s charges that Modi had exported a major chunk of vaccines, Ghosh said, “Our country was working on seven vaccines, of which two has been approved, produced in bulk and administered to at least 12.5 crore so far.”

    “Statesmen from several countries have compared Modijis feat with that of Lord Hanuman who carried mountain on his shoulder (to cure Lord Laxman with medicinal plant). Modiji sent boxes of vaccine to other countries. We catered to our needs as well as those of our global friends.”

    Accusing the TMC government of suppressing COVID-19 figures last year, Ghosh said the state had plunged into a major crisis but the CM skipped several meetings convened by the PM to help tackle the matter, and her government did not respond to missives of the Union health ministry.

    “The TMC government had created confusion in people’s minds by frequently changing lockdown dates. The CM, herself, flouted lockdown guidelines by hitting the road, and encouraging assemblies at places.”

    Slamming Banerjee for christening trains meant for returnee migrants as ‘Corona Express’, the Midnapore MP, during a press meet, said “around 30-40 lakh migrants wanted to return to Bengal but our chief minister was reluctant to give them entry.”

    Claiming that Banerjee has entered into an understanding with the Congress, Ghosh further said, “I don’t know why Rahul Gandhi cancelled his rallies and Adhir Chowdhury is not campaigning anymore.”

    Referring to the TMC supremo’s allegations that the saffron party was “conspiring to create communal disturbances” on Ram Navami, BJP state spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya, who was also present at the meeting, said, “This is the first time a chief minister levelled such charges against a party.

    “She made this remark during a meeting in a minority belt. It only goes on to show that she might be the one trying to foment trouble,” Bhattacharya said.

    BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya, who is in the city, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing four public meetings on April 23 in Bengal, and a limited number of audience would be allowed at the venue.

    Modi is set to address rallies at Malda, Baharampur, Seuri and South Kolkata on Friday.

    “We had followed the same protocol during Bihar assembly polls with strict adherence to all election commission guidelines,” Malviya added.