‘Congress, CPI(M) not INDIA in Bengal…they are BJP agents,’ Mamata Banerjee hits out

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also claimed that all the pre-poll surveys predicting a BJP win were fake. ‘The BJP will not get even 200 seats,’ she said.

Mamata, Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal CM, INDIA bloc, Congress and CPI(M),

As the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections kicked off in West Bengal on Friday with three constituencies going to polls, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked her INDIA bloc allies Congress and the CPI(M), saying she would not support them in the state as they were “BJP agents” there.

Speaking at a rally in Murshidabad, Banerjee also said that all pre-poll surveys were fake and the BJP would “not get more than 200 seats”.

“Some say, we are INDIA, vote for us. India is not here, it belongs to Delhi. Congress and CPI(M) are not INDIA here. They are BJP. One vote for them means two votes for BJP. Don’t even cast a vote [for them],” Banerjee said. “We will lead the Opposition alliance INDIA in the coming days. But in Bengal, CPI(M) and Congress are agents of BJP. So I will not support them here,” she added.

The TMC, the Congress and the CPI(M) are part of the Opposition INDIA alliance but Mamata Banerjee has chosen to fight the Lok Sabha elections alone in West Bengal. Though the CPI(M) had said earlier that it would fight both the TMC and Congress, after talks between both these parties failed, it changed tack.

Banerjee’s remarks were made at Murshidabad, a district that has seen a strong CPI(M)-Congress alliance. In Sagardighi, for example, CPI(M)-Congress defeated TMC in a bypoll last year. Congress state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim are also contesting from Berhampore and Murshidabad Lok Sabha constituencies, respectively.

Banerjee also criticised the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI). “The BJP will not get even 200 seats in the country. All surveys are fake. Lakhs of rupees have been poured into the survey. Do not listen to it…BJP will not win,” she said.

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She also commented on the ECI’s role during the first phase of voting. “The one who is marrying is also the priest of the marriage – I am seeing this for the first time. How come you are voting with only the central forces…leaving out the state police? So that people cannot vote?” Banerjee asked.

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The Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal will be held in all seven phases from April 19 to June 1. Three constituencies, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri, went to polls on Friday.

Atri Mitra

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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