Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP, claiming his party has made a strong start in the initial phase of polling and accusing the Opposition of attempting to control the narrative.
'Panic in BJP camp'
Addressing a rally in Howrah on Friday, Banerjee said, "I am not a political astrologer. Whenever I have made predictions on political results it has clicked.
In the first phase, we have hit a century. There is a panic in BJP camp. They are calling journalists and asking them run the narrative that BJP has done well in first phase and are cruising ahead."
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He also took aim at the BJP leadership, alleging intimidation tactics.
"Gujarat's gunda is coming to Bengal and threatening people of Bengal saying 'ulta latka denge'. I simply said this to Amit Shah that it's humid, keep your head cool. But when a journalist asked him a question on this he said: Abhishek Banerjee is abusing me. I never used a foul word but simply asked him to remain calm."
Banerjee added, "It's a matter of 10 days. I challenge them to stay here till 4th evening."
Row over remarks and respect
Earlier, Banerjee accused Amit Shah of showing disrespect towards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during campaign speeches.
"BJP talks about 'Naari Shakti', but we all saw how Amit Shah addressed Mamata Banerjee at a meeting on Tuesday. He was calling her 'Ayeee Didi', just like Modi did in 2021, 'Didi O Didi', both in a dismissive, disrespectful manner," he said.
"And remember, he is addressing someone who is 10 years older than him. This is the respect they have for women, for a woman chief minister and for a senior politician," Banerjee added.
Claims on election outcome
The TMC leader predicted a setback for the BJP, stating, "This time they won't be able to cross even 50 seats." He also urged BJP leaders, including Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath, to "keep their cool" during campaigning.
Allegations against Central agencies
Banerjee further alleged that central agencies and institutions were being used politically. He said that despite the BJP having the backing of agencies, it would not be able to stop the TMC from winning.
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"From the Prime Minister, Union Home minister, Defence minister to the Railway minister and chief ministers of several BJP-ruled states, all have converged on West Bengal to fight Mamata Banerjee. She is putting up a valiant fight with the support of the people and is poised to win," he said.
"The BJP has amassed all the machinery and resources against Didi and the TMC, but they are disconnected from the masses. They will fail miserably," Banerjee added.
