Yamuna pollution claims lead Mamata Banerjee to contrast Hooghly boat ride with Delhi criticism

At an election meeting in Howrah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could take a boat ride on the clean Hooghly, but not on the Yamuna in Delhi, which she alleged is polluted. She credited local agencies for riverfront work and challenged Modi’s comments on women’s safety by citing BJP-ruled states.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi during election meetings on Friday. Banerjee compared river conditions in West Bengal and Delhi. Banerjee also raised concerns about voter roll changes and women’s safety. Banerjee accused the BJP and central agencies of threats and pressure. Banerjee said Trinamool Congress expected a strong mandate in the polls.

Speaking in Howrah, Banerjee said Modi could take a boat ride on the Hooghly. Banerjee said the water was clean and the riverfront was improved. Banerjee credited civic bodies, including the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, for the work. Banerjee alleged the Yamuna in Delhi was polluted. Banerjee blamed the BJP-led administration for the river’s condition.

Mamata Banerjee attacks Narendra Modi on women’s safety and Hooghly River

Banerjee responded to Modi’s claims on women’s safety in West Bengal. Banerjee said Modi should check the situation personally. Banerjee asked Modi to compare Bengal with BJP-ruled states. "See how safe women are here -- in the city, in the state, on the streets -- unlike BJP-ruled places like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere, where incidents of attacks on women are reported every day,\" Banerjee said.

Banerjee referred to specific incidents while attacking the BJP. \"Why do you forget about Hathras and Delhi? Please go to Manipur, which is burning. Why are you silent on Manipur?\" Banerjee asked. Banerjee also targeted Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. \"You BJP give tickets to those who rape women and garland rapists,\" Banerjee said.

Mamata Banerjee blames BJP and Election Commission over SIR electoral rolls

Banerjee held the BJP and the Election Commission responsible for the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR. Banerjee claimed people faced stress because of the process. Banerjee said over 300 deaths happened in recent months due to SIR-related stress. Banerjee also mentioned reports from Thursday’s voting. Banerjee said four people reportedly died while standing in queues.

Banerjee said the issue involved a large number of voters. \"I managed to flag the issue of 32 lakh omitted voters and moved the Supreme Court,\" Banerjee said. Banerjee also linked voting patterns to SIR anger. Banerjee said 93 per cent polling showed strong opposition to SIR. Banerjee said the higher turnout went decisively against the revision exercise.

Mamata Banerjee targets Amit Shah over threats, raids and Kolkata remarks

Banerjee referred to alleged remarks by Shah about TMC workers. Banerjee questioned if such statements were acceptable from a Union minister. \"With all decorum and respect, may I ask if a Union minister can issue any such threat?\" Banerjee said. Banerjee also objected to Shah allegedly calling Kolkata a city of slums. Banerjee said Kolkata ranked among India’s leading industrial cities.

Banerjee accused Shah of pressuring officials and using central agencies. \"Shah is holding meetings with officials and coercing and issuing threats to them. Now you Shah are orchestrating raids by central agencies on businessmen and opponents not falling on your side. In future, you will be defeated and ousted in Delhi as the long arm of law will catch up to you,\" Banerjee said.

Mamata Banerjee highlights TMC poll outlook and allegations against BJP strategy

Banerjee said the first phase signalled a clear advantage for the TMC. \"The first phase has already confirmed that TMC will win with a big mandate in the two-phase Assembly polls. The joy of BJP leaders is short-lived,\" Banerjee said. Banerjee also named districts where BJP would fare poorly. Banerjee said Alipurduar, Coochbehar, Uttar Dinajpur, Malda and Murshidabad would bring a \"big zero\".

Banerjee accused the BJP of using allies for political ends. \"You saw how they had pitted Nitish Kumar on the forefront and then finally put up their own men as part of the bigger agenda,\" Banerjee said. Banerjee also alleged the BJP interfered with Bengali food choices. Banerjee claimed curbs were placed on fish and meat sales. \"I will myself cook macher jhol fish curry for you and send it to your home. We are known for hospitality,\" Banerjee said.

Mamata Banerjee speaks on jobs, court cases and election process concerns

At a meeting in Bhabanipur, Banerjee spoke about jobs for educated youth. Banerjee said the state issued notifications to fill vacancies. Banerjee claimed the BJP and the CPIM filed PILs to block hiring. Banerjee said the government still created work opportunities. Banerjee accused both Left and BJP forces of trying to create an impasse.

Banerjee claimed opponents ignored issues outside West Bengal. Banerjee said they never raised the killing of 50 people in an education scam. Banerjee located that case in Madhya Pradesh. Banerjee said West Bengal was targeted to harm youth prospects. Banerjee also criticised the tone of the campaign. \"I had been a seven-time MP, Union minister on many occasions and worked with many prime ministers, but I had never come across such personalities who are not worthy of respect,\" Banerjee said.

Banerjee warned people about misinformation during the campaign. Banerjee said fake news and videos from other states were shared as Bengal content. Banerjee asked party workers to stay alert at counting centres. Banerjee also raised concerns about old EVMs being used. \"Please wait at the counting centres till the entire result is uploaded on computers. Remember that in the 2021 polls in Nandigram, EVM machines were destroyed, and till date I am yet to get justice,\" Banerjee said.

At Ekbalpur, Banerjee warned against alleged attempts to polarise communities. Banerjee said such efforts would not be allowed in the state. Banerjee stressed shared safety between neighbours during unrest. \"If a fire breaks out at a Hindu household, will the adjacent Muslim house be safe? We have to live together,\" Banerjee said. Banerjee repeated calls for vigilance as campaigning continued.

With inputs from PTI