Kolkata: With TMC set for a second term with an enhanced majority, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said coming together of CPI(M) and Congress was a “blunder” for both the parties and accused the opposition of spinning a “web of lies” to grab power.
Thanking the people for the “unprecedented victory”, Banerjee said politics in the state had hit a “historic low” during the electioneering and there should be a “Laxman Rekha” to maintain decency in public discourse.
“It is an unprecedented victory despite a joint opposition unleashing violence. I thank people of Bengal from bottom of my heart for keeping faith in Trinamool Congress. The opposition had spun a web of lies which has been rejected,” Banerjee said addressing a press conference.
The TMC is all set to retain power as the party was leading in 214 of 294 seats. The Left and Congress were ahead in 73 seats while BJP in seven.
Asked whether she harbours hope of a prominent national role in 2019 Lok Sabha polls, she did not give a direct reply and called herself a less important person, adding “I love my country and my motherland.”
About TMC’s equation with BJP, she said, “We have ideological differences with it but we will always support it on issues that are beneficial to the people.” She also said TMC will support GST Bill in Parliament as promised earlier.
Terming the alliance between Congress and CPI(M) a “blunder”, she said when “ideology is lost, everything is lost. People of West Bengal have rejected attempts to mislead them, and the conspiracies.”
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“TMC is not communal like BJP and we take all religions together,” she said.
Banerjee said socio-economic development of the downtrodden people will be her priority and claimed there was no corruption in Bengal as being “spread by a section of the media with vested interests”.
Banerjee said she will take oath on May 27.
Banerjee said there were relentless attempts to mislead people of the state and some of the comments even surprised her.
She said the party has more responsibility with this victory.
“People could not vote in some areas as they were terrorised. There will be victors and losers in a democracy but it was taken to a historic low which is dangerous,” she said.
The West Bengal Chief Minister also thanked the Election Commission for ensuring a free and fair polling.
She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley congratulated her on TMC’s victory.
“There has to be a Laxman Rekha in politics which has to be adhered to. People should learn from experience,” she said.
Banerjee said the party will organise a host of cultural events till May 30 to celebrate the victory.
On her future roadmap for West Bengal, Banerjee said she will strictly follow the party manifesto as it is the guiding force.
