‘2029 will be a dangerous time, BJP won’t stay in power’: Mamata says Bengal ‘understands BJP’s poll game’ unlike Bihar

“2029 will be a dangerous time for you (BJP). Your government will not stay in 2029. Hurting the people of Bengal is hurting me. If you hurt me, I will shake the nation. After the elections, I will tour the nation. Remember, an injured tiger is more dangerous,” Banerjee said. She also held a padayatra in the area.

“In the Bihar elections too, you highlighted ghuspaaythiyan (infiltrators). In Bihar, they (Opposition parties) could not catch your game. But we will catch your game here. The BJP will also lose in Gujarat in the next elections,” she said.

Banerjee said that the state government would have fully assisted the Election Commission if they “had done SIR properly”. “Three years’ time should have been given for SIR. Proper training to BLOs should have been given. But keeping in mind the polls, you (ECI) are doing it in two months in Bengal, just to please your political bosses and try to grab power in Bengal. Will the ECI decide who will choose the next government?” she asked.

“If one speaks in Bengali, for them (Centre), he or she is a Bangladeshi. I was born in Birbhum, or else they would have branded me a Bangladeshi too. Remember, Bengal and Punjab were at the forefront of India’s freedom struggle,” she added.

Claiming that “three BLOs have died” and that one had “written in her suicide note that the Election Commission is responsible”, Banerjee said: “Over 30 people have died due to panic after SIR. How many more deaths do you want?”

Reaching out to the Matua community, Banerjee said her party “stands by” them. “You are paying money to get Hindu cards and Matua cards (given by the BJP-dominated Matua Mahasangha). Such certificates will highlight that you are a Bangladeshi. I advise you not to go for such cards. Every time elections come — in 2016, 2021 and 2024 — the BJP highlights the CAA. But after the elections, they are nowhere to be found. I ask all of you not to panic or take your lives. We will protect you. We will not allow a single genuine voter’s name to be cancelled. If the voter list of 2004 is cancelled, why will the central government not be cancelled?” she said.

Banerjee also announced assistance for those affected once the SIR draft list is released. “The draft list will be out. Don’t panic. We will help you out. Like Duare Sarkar (government at your doorstep), we will reach out to you. Those who do not have caste certificates — we will help. We will help with any document needed,” she said.

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