Mamata Banerjee Levels Serious Allegations Against BJP in West Bengal
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made explosive claims on Sunday, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of threatening candidates from her party, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), including state ministers. She asserted that these threats are aimed at securing their support if the BJP fails to achieve a majority after the upcoming Assembly elections.
Allegations of Delimitation and State Division
In a series of poll rallies across Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman, Chhatna, Onda in Bankura district, and Khandagosh in Purba Bardhaman, Banerjee further alleged that the Centre is planning a delimitation exercise to trifurcate West Bengal. She claimed parts of the state might be merged with Bihar or Odisha, which she warned would cause significant difficulties for Bengali residents.
"The BJP is threatening TMC candidates, including state ministers, seeking their support if it falls short of the majority mark after the assembly elections," Banerjee stated, as cited by PTI. She added, "The BJP is planning to bring in a delimitation bill to divide West Bengal into three parts. It may merge parts of West Bengal with Bihar or Odisha, and torture Bengalis there."
Claims of Financial Deals and Electoral Malpractices
Banerjee also alleged that the BJP had entered into a Rs 1,000-crore deal to remove the TMC from power in West Bengal. Her remarks referenced a viral video of Humayun Kabir, who purportedly claimed links with BJP leaders like Suvendu Adhikari and alleged receiving Rs 200 crore as an advance from a Rs 1,000-crore plan to split minority votes and defeat the TMC.
- The TMC has demanded a probe into the matter.
- The BJP and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party have dismissed the video as AI-generated.
"They (BJP) have struck a Rs 1,000-crore deal to unseat the TMC from power in West Bengal," Banerjee emphasized. She further accused the BJP of bribing voters ahead of the elections and described the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as the "country’s biggest scam" in recent times.
Criticism of Electoral Processes and Voter Vigilance
Banerjee criticized the SIR, stating, "The SIR is the biggest scam the country has seen in recent times. Everyone in the world knows that your government will topple in 2026. We will then scrap all the anti-people laws brought in by your government." She also pointed to past elections, saying, "The BJP bribes voters before the elections. But they forget their promises soon after the polling is over. That was seen in the Bihar elections."
Additionally, she alleged that the BJP would attempt to influence the polling process through tactics like slow voting and slow counting. Banerjee urged voters to remain vigilant and monitor voting machines closely. "Be alert about the voting machines. The BJP has planned slow voting and slow counting. Foil all their plans," she advised.
In a striking claim, Banerjee alleged that the BJP was planning to offer "spiked tea and sweets" to people to "loot votes," highlighting her concerns over electoral integrity.
These allegations come amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal as the state prepares for crucial Assembly elections, with Banerjee positioning the TMC against what she portrays as aggressive and unethical tactics by the BJP.
