'Don’t vote for BJP, they are dangerous': Bengal CM Banerjee to Karnataka voters

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged the people of Karnataka not to vote for the BJP in the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Photo Credit: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

"My only appeal to brothers and sisters in Karnataka is that please vote for stability and development. I appeal that please do not vote for BJP. They are dangerous," ANI quoted the Bengal CM as saying.

The single-phase election for the 224-member Assembly will be held on May 10. This time, most surveys have indicated that the Congress will emerge victorious in the poll.

Nonetheless, the ruling BJP, banking on PM Modi's popularity, is hoping to retain power.

The Bengal Chief Minister also criticised the BJP government over the violence in Manipur and questioned why no representative was sent to the state.

"I am quite tense with the situation in Manipur. We are not getting a clear picture of the number of deaths in shoot-at-sight (order) as the state government is not giving any information," she said. She also claimed that the Manipur violence is a man-made problem.

The violence broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. At least, 54 have reportedly died in the clashes.

Meiteis, which account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population, live mostly in the Imphal valley, while tribals (Nagas and Kukis) constitute another 40 per cent of the population and they live in the hill districts.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has also announced that it is banning controversial movie 'The Kerala Story' in West Bengal. Thus it has become the first state in the country to ban the flick although Tamil Nadu has cancelled the screening on Sunday.

"It is to avoid any incident of hatred and violence, and maintain peace in the state," she said.

With inputs from agencies.