Battle For Bengal: Mamata's Open Challenge To Amit Shah; Says First Fight Abhishek, Then Me

The TMC chief said Abhishek could have taken the easy route of being a Member of Parliament by choosing to be a Rajya Sabha member but instead he fought the general elections and earned the mandate of the people.

(File Photos/ Getty)

Kolkata: Launching a frontal attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his “Didi-Bhaipo” (aunt-nephew) jibe in the run up to the West Bengal Assembly polls, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday challenged the former to first contest against her nephew Abhishek Banerjee first and then think of fighting her.

“Day and night they are talking about Didi-Bhatija. I challenge Amit Shah, contest against Abhishek Banerjee first and then me,” she said.

Banerjee, whose remarks came amid accusations of promoting nepotism in the TMC, also used the platform to defend her nephew.

The TMC chief, who was speaking at a rally at Pailan in the state’s South 24 Parganas district, said Abhishek could have taken the easy route of being a Member of Parliament by choosing to be a Rajya Sabha member, but instead he fought the general elections and earned the mandate of the people.

Expressing confidence of her party’s splendid victory in the upcoming assembly polls, Banerjee said: “The TMC will break all records, get most of the votes and win the highest number of seats in West Bengal elections.”

The TMC supremo’s direct attack on Shah assumes significance as the BJP is making desperate bids to win the West Bengal Assembly elections.

The elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly are due in April-May.