By-poll win shows people rejected BJP conspiracy: Mamata

Kolkata, Feb 16: Buoyed by the win in the by-poll in both Bongaon Lok Sabha and Krishnaganj Assembly seats, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today termed it "a miracle" and said the party is "intact and strong".

Banerjee, who was speaking to the media while touring Purulia district for a government programme, said the results were people's "Rejection of the conspiracy by Delhi and a slanderous campaign by the BJP and a section of the media".

"I salute Maa, Mati, Manush. I salute our workers. This is people's magic. This is a miracle," she said. Trinamool Congress today retained both Bongaon Lok Sabha and Krishnaganj Assembly seats with huge margins in the bypolls seen as a litmus test for its popularity in the wake of CBI arresting several of its leaders in Saradha scam and murmurs of dissidence.

"It is a number one strong party in the world. No one can divide TMC and if any individual (airs his opinion) they have the prerogative. But the party remains strong and united and this is our collective family," Banerjee said.

Apparently referring to BJP's humiliating defeat in Delhi polls and also the saffron party failing to make much headway in the by-poll in West Bengal, she said, "The verdict of the people in the country was a reflection that they are for secularism, integration and development."

Referring to the massive victory margins recorded by TMC candidates, particularly in the Bongaon seat, a predominantly rural constituency adjoining Bangladesh, she said, "It was not our expectation also that they (TMC candidates) will get so many votes. People really...have just bowled out (the opposition)."

PTI