Addressing an election rally at Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district, Banerjee said, “I know that the Centre has deliberately allowed a great number of people to go for Haj this year (so that the pilgrims could not vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections). I appeal to their families to ensure that no vote is wasted and that they should go out and vote. They will use NRC to disenfranchise us.”

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo also said her government would challenge the Calcutta High Court order to cancel all Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates issued by the state since 2010. “We don’t accept the HC order on cancellation of OBC Certificates and will move the higher court over it. The BJP plans to use UCC and take away the rights of the Tapashili community.” Tapashilis are categorised Scheduled Castes (SC).

Banerjee also accused the BJP of trying to take away reservation for the Tapashili community. “(BJP’s) Plan 1 was Sandeshkhali, where a conspiracy was hatched to disrespect women. Plan 2 was to spark riots. Plan 3 is to take away the reservation for Tapashilis and their jobs.. As soon as summer vacation is over, I will move to higher courts (on the OBC caste certificate issue).”

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Governor on Friday sought “factual reports” from the state government over Banerjee’s recent remarks about the HC order scrapping OBC certificates.

A statement issued by the Raj Bhavan read: “Upon the authority vested in him under Article 167 of the Constitution of India, Hon’ble Governor demands factual reports from the government on the reported remarks of Chief Minister that she will not honour the orders of the Calcutta High Court on the issue of OBC certificates. She alleged that a few judges are only following the diktats of the BJP and CPI (M). If it is factually correct, it militates against the concept of separation of powers which is enshrined in the constitution of India.”