"Mamata Didi, your 40 MLAs are in touch with me": PM Modi's sensational claim

Violence marred polling in the state, where an estimated 52.36 per cent of voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm. The state election office also received reports of violence from Jemua and Barabani areas of Bardhaman East constituency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. FILE PIC/AFP.

Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sensationally claimed Mamata Banerjee’s 40 legislators are in contact with him and will desert her as soon as Lok Sabha election results are declared on May 23. “The political ground beneath your (Mamata Banerjee) feet slipping away. Your  MLAs (Trinamool Congress) will desert you once results are out on May 23. Your 40 legislators are in touch with me,” Modi said at an election rally in Serampore. Amping up his attack, the prime minister said, “earlier people who used to abuse Modi have started abusing EVMs. They know they are going to lose elections.” Mod said the people of West Bengal have made up their mind to uproot TMC and its goons. Alleging that Mamata had betrayed the people of her state, “Mamata Didi, democracy offered you the position you are in. Don't betray democracy. Didi, no matter how hard you and your goons try, the people of West Bengal have made their decision. The youth of the state will make you pay for betraying the state.” Modi’s belabor comes amid polling in 8 seats of West Bengal. Violence marred polling in the state, where an estimated 52.36 per cent of voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm. The state election office also received reports of violence from Jemua and Barabani areas of Bardhaman East constituency. There were also reports of a clash between TMC and BJP workers outside a booth in Barabani in Asansol, following a tiff between sitting MP and BJP candidate in Asansol, Babul Supriyo and polling officials inside the station, a senior election official was quoted by news agency PTI . Supriyo's vehicle was reportedly vandalised, the official added.