On the absence of Hazare, Mamata later told reporters, "It was not a political meeting. It was a social meeting. He was invited. I made the commitment to come here and I came."
She further said that she came to the rally to keep her promise, but she did not have any idea why Hazare did not come to the rally.
"It was his rally. I had come here at his request. I do not know why he did not come. I have no idea," she said.
Dodging questions on Hazare's absence, she said," I have respect for Annaji. He is a a senior person. I respect his desire."
On the poor turnout at the Ramlila ground, she said, "People in this ground are brought from outside. We could also have done the same. But, this is election time."
