'Even if BJP arrests me I will ensure TMC victory in polls from jail' Mamata

PTI Updated: November 25, 2020 14:29 IST

    Bankura (WB), Nov 25 (PTI) Calling the BJP "garbage of
lies" and "biggest curse of the nation", West Bengal Chief
Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday dared the saffron party
to arrest her and asserted she will ensure TMC victory in the
upcoming elections even from the jail.
    Election to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is due
in April-May.
    Accusing the BJP of trying to poach TMC MLAs by
attempting to bribe them, Banerjee, without naming anyone,
said some people are acting as fence-sitters who are under the
illusion that the saffron party might come to power in the
state.
    "The BJP is not a political party but garbage of lies.
Whenever the election arrives, they bring up the issue of
Narada (sting operation) and Saradha (scam) to intimidate TMC
leaders.
    "But let me tell them very clearly, I am not afraid of
the BJP or its agencies. If they have the guts, they can
arrest me and put me behind the bars. I will fight elections
from jail and ensure the victory of the TMC," Banerjee said in
her first major public rally here in post-COVID times.
    Referring to the recently-concluded Bihar elections,
Banerjee said even RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has been put
behind the bars but still he ensured his party's good
performance.
    "Even Lalu Prasad Yadav has been put behind bars but
still he has ensured his party's good performance. The victory
of the BJP (in Bihar) is through manipulation and not through
popular mandate," she said.
    Lashing out at the BJP for allegedly trying to
intimidate and bribe the TMC MLAs, Banerjee said, "Few people
are under the illusion that they (BJP) will come to power, so
some people are trying to take a chance. But I want to say
this clearly, there is neither any chance nor 'by-chance' for
the BJP to come to power. We will again return to power with a
bigger mandate."
    The TMC is ruling the state since 2011. PTI PNT
ACD ACD

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)