Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would use central forces to indulge in false voting during the ongoing Assembly elections and urged them not to become a part of such political activities.
Addressing an election rally at Haripal in Hooghly district on Wednesday, Banerjee asked people to remain vigilant and alert on the day of polling and to ensure that their voting rights are exercised without any interference or intimidation.
“The central forces will vote in droves. The BJP will use them to indulge in false voting. I will tell them, do not do politics. We salute you. You protect the country. But the central forces are saying ‘BJP Zindabad’ now! How dare they do so much?” CM Banerjee alleged while addressing the gathering.
She further said, “The central forces will check you at the polling booth. If they touch women, you will take the legal route. No one will take up arms or resort to violence. You know what to do in such situations.”
The Chief Minister also claimed that the BJP is running a minority government at the Centre and is at risk of falling at any time in the near future.
“We defeated the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections a few days ago. The BJP government will fall within this year. This is a minority government. It is surviving at the mercy of some people,” she said while continuing her address.
Mamata Banerjee also appealed to people belonging to minority communities to cast their votes before embarking on the Hajj pilgrimage.
“They have opened flight services for Hajj from April 27. It has been done very cleverly. There is an election here on April 29, and before that they have done this. I will request you not to go for Hajj without voting. First cast your votes and then go for Hajj. If you do not cast your votes, then they will drive you out through NRC. Do not waste your vote. I will make all arrangements for Hajj,” CM Banerjee said.
The first phase of the two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal will be held on Thursday. Polling will be conducted in as many as 152 Assembly constituencies across several districts amid tight and elaborate security arrangements.
(IANS)
