Mamata Banerjee to wage lone battle against BJP in 2019

Kolkata, July 21: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that the ruling Trinamool Congress will start 'BJP hatao, desh bachao' campaign on 15th August. Mamata Banerjee was addressing party workers on the occasion of Martyrs' Day in West Bengal.

Also, Banerjee announced a whole list of programs for months ahead as a build up to the 2019 general elections.

"2019 will be a big blow, Bengal will show the path. BJP will not win more than 150 seats in 2019 elections. Don't require the assistance of CPI(M) or Congress in Bengal. I will fight alone here," she said.

"We will continue our political fight against BJP, Congress and CPI(M). But our developmental programs will continue. Pledge to win the country and drive BJP out. Pledge to win all 42 seats in Bengal," She added.

On the lynching incident in Alwar, she said, "The way lynching is happening everywhere in the country, they (govt) are creating Talibanis among people. There are some good people in BJP/RSS who I respect. But others are playing dirty games."

Taking a dig at the saffron party for the collapse of a makeshift tent at PM Narendra Modi's rally at Midnapore, she said, "They cannot build a pandal. How can they build the country?".

The CM said the number of BJP's Lok Sabha seats would significantly come down in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

"During the no-confidence vote in the Lok Sabha yesterday, they (NDA) got 325 votes, but in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, their strength will come down to barely 100 seats," she said.

(With PTI inputs)