High drama in Bhabanipur as Mamata, Suvendu take swipes
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari landed in the same polling booth area in Bhabanipur’sChakraberia on Wednesday morning, and took swipes at one another without any direct interaction, underlining the prestige battle unfolding in the CM’s political bastion.
Though they did not come face-to-face or exchange courtesies, the two rival candidates were briefly in the same area in ward number 70 of Chakraberia, where Banerjee was seated outside a local party office after receiving complaints of alleged intimidation of local TMC leaders.
As Banerjee remained on the verandah of the party office, Adhikari arrived on the road, just opposite the spot, accompanied by a large contingent of central forces personnel, and launched an attack on the chief minister, claiming she had realised that “not a single vote” was coming her way.
While Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to “rig” the election using central forces, police observers and election officials, Adhikari dismissed her allegations as signs of “frustration”, saying the chief minister was “scared” because State police no longer controlled the polling process.
“Banerjee is scared. Her police have been replaced by central forces, which is why she is scared. The ECI has deployed CAPFs here, so if she has any problem, she should approach them. Why have 40-50 people come with her?” Adhikari said.
He claimed Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also called him. Adhikari also accused Banerjee of moving around with “50-60 goons” despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 being in force.
