West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee made sharp and controversial remarks ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, alleging a “secret understanding” between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre, the Congress, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. She claimed that a large number of IAS and IPS officers from West Bengal were being deputed as election observers to Tamil Nadu, impacting governance in her state.
Addressing an election rally in Nadia district, Banerjee expressed strong displeasure over the transfer of nearly 500 officials from West Bengal ahead of Assembly elections in five states. She alleged that the BJP had positioned its preferred officers in key roles within the state administration and was influencing governance. She further claimed that if the BJP comes to power, it may impose restrictions on the consumption of fish, meat, and eggs.
She also referred to recent voter list revision exercises, alleging that around 250 deaths had occurred in West Bengal and demanded accountability from the BJP. Her remarks added to the ongoing political tensions, with accusations and counter-accusations intensifying ahead of the elections.
Banerjee further stated that she would work towards strengthening opposition unity at the national level after the elections. She questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over remarks reportedly made by Pakistan’s Defence Minister targeting Kolkata, and criticized him for not addressing the issue during a recent rally, even demanding his resignation.