'Tamil Nadu Has 40 Seats, Bengal 42': Mamata Calls Out 'Disparity' In Polling Schedule, Questions 7-Phase LS Elections

Speaking at a rally in Midnapore in support of TMC candidate June Malia, Mamata Banerjee questioned the rationale behind the prolonged polling schedule in West Bengal as compared to other states.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed her dismay at the Election Commission of India's decision to conduct the ongoing Lok Sabha polls in seven phases over a period of three months, citing the unbearable conditions of electioneering in the scorching heat.

Speaking at a rally in Midnapore in support of TMC candidate June Malia, Banerjee questioned the rationale behind the prolonged polling schedule in West Bengal as compared to other states.

Drawing a comparison with Tamil Nadu, which conducted its elections in a single phase despite having only two Lok Sabha seats less than Bengal, Banerjee called out the "disparity" in the election schedules.

Addressing the rally, she also highlighted the challenges faced by campaigners, including herself, due to the intense summer heat, mentioning the malfunctioning air compressor in her helicopter and the suffocating conditions inside.

Expressing her exhaustion from continuous campaigning, Banerjee also emphasised that conducting elections over three months was unprecedented and draining.

“The air compressor of my helicopter hasn’t been working over the last 3-4 days. Moreover, the helicopter heats up quickly in this intense summer. So you can very well imagine how suffocating it might feel to travel in it for campaigning in this heatwave. This poll campaigning in such scorching heat is completely draining me out of my energy. And I have been doing this since March 31,” Banerjee said.

She pointed out that Tamil Nadu, with 40 Lok Sabha seats, managed to complete its polling in a single day, contrasting sharply with the process in West Bengal spanning over seven phases.

“I have never seen a Lok Sabha election being conducted over a span of three months. Tamil Nadu witnessed polling in one day. They have 40 Lok Sabha seats while West Bengal has 42,” she said.

Banerjee also took aim at the Central government, questioning the deployment of central forces in various states for election security.

“I want to ask the ECI that in which state has it deployed the maximum number of central forces for smooth conduct of election. Why have you made such elaborate security arrangements in Bengal? Don’t you trust the people here?” she said.