Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Criticizes BJP's Election Tactics in Cooch Behar

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced concerns that BJP candidate Nisith Pramanik will "engage" the BSF to sway the poll on Friday, accusing a portion of the Cooch Behar district government of having a "tacit understanding" with him.

Pramanik is currently the Cooch Behar MP, and the BJP has nominated him thrice. Election day in Cooch Behar is April 19.

"The administration is being mute while the BJP candidate in this case uses violence. Given the information I possess, allow me to inquire: what exactly is the understanding? "Is there any financial involvement involved, or are you afraid of losing your job or being removed by the Election Commission?" Mamata asked, addressing a public assembly in Dinhata, in the district of Cooch Behar.

She claims that despite having several criminal charges against him, Pramanik was appointed junior Union home minister.

"Those in the government attempting to support the BJP would be better off leaving for Delhi or breaking into Nisith's home; otherwise, in two months, who knows what they would do? (after the election). That way, they won't have to deal with law and order. Let me say this clearly: I will not spare anyone found accountable for any law and order issues that arise in Cooch Behar prior to the elections, the chief minister declared.

At least two significant altercations between BJP and Trinamul laborers have been documented in Cooch Behar, involving the attendance of Trinamul MLAs Udayan Guha and Pramanik as well as the north Bengal development minister. Following the incidences, both parties have complained to the police.

During her speech during the gathering, Mamata encouraged Guha to remain composed. "You ought to be composed and ready to take on the BJP on a political level. Avoid falling into the trap, or otherwise he may even ask BSF to manipulate the votes to his advantage," she warned.

She claimed that Pramanik is engaged in illicit operations such as cattle smuggling and money laundering. "On the one side, the BJP intimidates people by utilizing national security organizations like the CBI and NIA. However, the party is running these individuals as candidates. They ought to feel guilty about it, Mamata remarked.

The chief minister's comments sparked a response from the saffron camp.

"Mamata Banerjee no longer has faith in the government or the state police." She also knows that Trinamul is not going to be able to win the Cooch Behar seat. She is saying these things for that reason. How can elections be held by the BSF? These are nonsensical remarks, according to Biraj Bose, the Cooch Behar district general secretary of the BJP.

Tea is flagged by Mamata.

The chief minister traveled from Dinhata to Kalchini later in the day to speak at her second public gathering.

Speaking at Kalchini, she said that the tea business had received no help from the BJP. The outcomes of the elections in Alipurduar, which would take place alongside Cooch Behar, are determined by the support of the tea people. The BJP had taken the seat in 2019.

"In 2014 and 2019 (before of the general elections), the Prime Minister and senior BJP officials visited this location and pledged to reopen the closed gardens. They were unable to restore even one garden. However, in the time we have been in office, we have restored up to 59 closed gardens," Mamata stated.

She mentioned that there are 25 tea plantations in Jalpaiguri, 15 in Alipurduar, 17 in Darjeeling, and one in each of the districts of Kalimpong and Cooch Behar.

She went into further detail regarding the state's choice to grant land rights to tea workers. In addition, Mamata said, "We are giving each tea worker Rs 1.20 lakhs so they can construct homes on the plots for which we are providing 'patta' (secured land tenures)."

Trinamul in north Bengal is adamant on getting the backing of tea laborers and their families.

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