Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday claimed the BJP will not cross the 200-seat mark in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
Addressing an election rally at the Matua-dominated Bangaon constituency in the North 24 Parganas district, Banerjee said, “Modi babu jayega. (Mr Modi will go.) Those who are shouting ‘iss bar charso paar’ (will cross 400 this time), let me tell them that the BJP will not even cross the 200-seat mark. They have now realised this truth and are scared.”
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo then said the INDIA Bloc would get 300-315 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.
Thereafter, referring to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), Banerjee said, “If Modi has so much love for the Matuas, why is he not giving them unconditional rights? They won’t do it. You should do one thing. Tell the BJP candidate here to apply, and fill up the CAA form. They will not. It is a conspiracy… Modi will have to walk over my dead body (to implement CAA and NRC here).
“I will not allow NRC… Names of 19 lakh Hindu Bengalis have been removed from the NRC list in Assam… If they ask me for my parents’ certificate, where will I get the certificate from when I don’t even know their birthdays? If they ask you to bring a 50-year-old certificate, then you should first ask BJP candidates to apply (for CAA).”
Further, referring to a viral video wherein a BJP leader can be heard purportedly alleging that the protests by women in Sandeshkhali were staged at the behest of Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, Banerjee said, “Don’t play with the self-respect of women, don’t hatch conspiracy by playing with the dignity of our mothers and sisters.”
Several women in North 24 Parganas’ Sandeshkhali have claimed that they were sexually assaulted by former TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and his men. There have also been complaints of land grabbing against a section of TMC leaders.
The Bongaon seat will go to the polls on May 20. Whereas voting for the Basirhat seat – Sandeshkhali falls under it – will be held on June 1.