Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday campaigned in Habra and appealed to voters to support party candidate Jyotipriya Mallick, also known as Balu, describing him as her "favourite candidate" and a long-time associate.
Addressing a public meeting, she alleged that Mallick was falsely implicated in the ration corruption case and was arrested without evidence.
Mamata Banerjee backs Jyotipriya Mallick
At the rally, Mamata Banerjee urged people to vote for Mallick despite what she described as a campaign of defamation against him.
She said, "I hear they are spreading misinformation in Balu's name. Please note that in my government, Balu has done such good work that no one else could do. They arrested him out of jealousy. They found no evidence. Why did they arrest him?"
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CM Banerjee maintained that Mallick had played a key role in improving the ration distribution system in the state and accused political opponents of targeting him.
Mamata targets opposition, highlights work
The Chief Minister also criticised the CPI(M), alleging past irregularities. She said, "That 'rotten' CPI(M) had inducted one and a half lakh fake names into the ration system. They used to give rations under false names. Balu had caught this theft. That's why they framed him in a fake case."
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She added that Mallick introduced digital ration cards and strengthened monitoring to prevent diversion of food supplies. "Jyotipriya Mallick had also implemented digital ration cards. This work was not so easy. Ration goods used to be smuggled before. Checking every vehicle, Balu did everything. That's why he was framed," she said.
Mamata Banerjee also appealed to voters not to be influenced by allegations. She said, "Don't vote seldom by listening to someone's words, listening to slander and propaganda."
Targeting opposition parties, she added, "Those who were earlier in CPI(M) are now in BJP. Congress, BJP, and CPI(M) are all the same."
The remarks come as campaigning intensifies in North 24 Parganas ahead of the Assembly elections.
