Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on BJP candidates in Howrah district, calling them “discarded elements of the Trinamool Congress” during an election rally ahead of the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls.
Addressing a public meeting in Jagatballavpur, where he campaigned for Trinamool Congress candidates Subir Chattopadhyay (Jagatballavpur) and Tapas Maiti (Domjur), Banerjee alleged that leaders rejected by the TMC were being embraced by the BJP.
“We have thrown them into the dustbin, and Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are picking them up and placing them on their heads,” he said.
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Targets BJP nominees, contrasts them with TMC leaders
Banerjee praised Domjur candidate Tapas Maiti, describing him as a grassroots leader associated with the party for over 25 years. He said Maiti had risen through the ranks and currently serves as the Domjur block president.
In contrast, he accused the BJP’s Domjur candidate of joining the party to avoid action over corruption allegations. “Earlier, criminals would go to jail. Now they join the BJP,” Banerjee said, also referring to past police action and alleged recovery of firearms linked to the candidate.
Turning to Jagatballavpur, Banerjee highlighted Subir Chattopadhyay’s long association with the party, tracing his political journey from a local organiser in 1998 to holding multiple leadership roles over the years.
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He reiterated his attack on BJP candidates, saying they lacked credibility and public acceptance. Using a metaphor, Banerjee compared them to “spoiled potatoes in a sack” that had been discarded by the TMC but were now being repackaged by the BJP.
“These are people with no connection to the public. The BJP is trying to serve them to you, but they must be rejected,” he said.
West Benga now moves to the second phase of polling scheduled for April 29, with both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee addressing multiple rallies across the state.
