The national general secretary of the Trinamul Congress, Abhishek Banerjee today said that this Lok Sabha polls was not only to uproot the BJP but also teach the saffron party a good lesson.

The TMC leader and MP was addressing a public meeting held at Gangarampur in Dakshin Dinajpur today for two Lok Sabha candidates Biplab Mitra, who is contesting from Balurghat and Krishna Kalyani, who is contesting from Raiganj.

Mr Banerjee said, “This Lok Sabha election is also to protest, resist and for revenge. The reason is the BJP is totally anti-Bengal because its leaders have been elected by the people but they stopped disbursement of the central funds meant for 100 days’ work. Whenever the BJP leaders failed to come to power in 2021, they stopped disbursement of funds for housing projects.”

“I promise if the TMC candidates from Balurghat and Raiganj win, the state government form its own sources will execute housing scheme by 2026 without depending on the central government’s assistance. If we fail to keep our commitment you can reject us in Assembly elections to be held in 2026,”

The Trinamul national general secretary, Mr Banerjee said, adding, “Do you want chief minister Mamata Banerjee should beg for financial assistance from the leaders in Delhi.”

Abhishek directly challenged the outgoing MP Sukanta Majumdar, who is contesting from Balurghat LS seat for the second time and asked him to show papers for central assistance meant for housing scheme as they claimed that Rs 45,000 crore were allocated for West Bengal.

“If Sukanta Majumdar can show papers, I will quit politics,” Mr Banerjee said, claiming, “On the issue of development, TMC candidate Arpita Ghosh was elected from Balurghat but as the people cast vote on the lines of religion, Sukanta Majumdar was elected in 2014 and stopped disbursement of central assistance for you.”

Mr Banerjee has also claimed that the outgoing Raiganj MP from the BJP Debasree Chowdhury went missing after being elected.

“Not only commoners, but also the BJP leaders failed to contact her,” he added.

The TMC leader repeatedly urged the people not to cast a vote in the name of religion.

“You can cast your vote as per your choice but you should keep in mind one thing that your vote must ensure your rights,” Mr Banerjee said.