Khejuri (West Midnapore): Newly-inducted BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her decision to contest the
upcoming assembly elections from his home turf Nandigram and said the TMC supremo should get a letter pad ready with the words ‘former CM’.
ALSO READ | PM Modi To Celebrate Netaji's Birth Anniversary In Kolkata Ahead Of Crucial West Bengal Polls
“She (Mamata) will contest the elections from Nandigram. She should get a letter pad ready with the words ‘former CM’ written on it,” ANI quoted the former TMC heavyweight, who switched over to the BJP last month, as saying during a rally in Khejuri.
Adhikari had earlier said that the TMC supremo “remembered Nandigram only during polls”.
“What has she done for Nandigram? This place will never forgive her. You, your corrupt nephew and your 'private limited' can make announcements. But you will lose Nandigram by over half a lakh votes or else I will quit politics. Whether it be me or anyone whom the BJP chooses to contest from Nandigram, will beat Mamata by over half lakh votes," he said.
Adhikari’s outburst against the TMC chief came after she announced to contest from Nandigram in the upcoming assembly elections.
Addressing a huge public rally at Tekhali in Nandigram on Monday, Banerjee said, “Nandigram is close to my heart. I can forget my name but I cannot forget Nandigram. Considering the emotional attachment I have with the people of Nandigram, today I am announcing that I wish to contest the upcoming poll from Nandigram”.
ALSO READ | 'Is JP Nadda My Professor?', Rahul Gandhi's Scathing Attack On BJP Chief Over Farm Laws
“I would like to request my state president Subrata Bakshi to consider my name as the candidate from Nandigram in the 2021 state polls. I will not leave attention towards my Bhawanipur seat. I promise to the people of Bhawanipur that I will give a good candidate there,” she added.
The BJP, which is leaving no stones unturned to conquer the throne of Kolkata, has chalked out a massive plan for the upcoming assembly polls. The state BJP leaders have reportedly urged the central leadership to send Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath more frequently in the state to address rallies.
BJP chief J.P. Nadda has been making frequent visits to West Bengal of late and engaging in verbal volleys with the TMC top brass.
Impressed with its impressive gains in the 2019 general elections where the BJP won 18 of the 42 seats, the saffron party has reportedly set a target of winning more than 200 seats in the assembly polls.