TMC chief and outgoing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday ruled out stepping down following her party’s defeat in the Assembly elections, claiming the outcome was the result of a “conspiracy” and not a mandate from the people.
Addressing a press conference, Mamata claimed that the elections were not conducted fairly, and accused the BJP of unwarranted interference and using central forces to “control” the elections “soon”, while asserting that her party would challenge the results and continue its political battle.
“There is no doubt about my resignation. We were defeated not by public mandate but by conspiracy,” Mamata said.
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Mamata said that her party will bounce back strongly after its loss in the Lok Sabha elections. “We fought like tigers and we will rise up, but direct interference by this government raises deep concerns,” Mamata Banerjee said after losing the Assembly elections.
“We will take action against the EC soon,” says Mamata.
Mamata added that her party’s battle was not only with the BJP but also with the Election Commission of India. She added that TMC will take action against EC but will not disclose this now.
“We are taking action, and we will respond. But the strategy is confidential. We will not reveal it. We are taking action against the European Commission, but we have not yet decided what the action will be,” Mamata said.
Read also | ‘Our fight was with the EC, not with the BJP’: Mamata Banerjee’s new claims after BJP’s win in Bengal
The TMC chief said she has learned that some party workers are joining the BJP out of fear, adding that she does not mind if it ensures their safety.
“I don’t mind if my party workers join the BJP, for their safety,” she said, alleging that they were being threatened and intimidated.
TMC chief thanks India bloc leaders
Mamata says she also thanked the India bloc leaders for their support and said she would work with them but did not reveal the plans further.
“I am grateful to all the India Bloc leaders. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Hemant Soren, Tejaswi Yadav and other leaders have called me. Akhilesh will come to meet me tomorrow. Now my goal is clear. I am a free bird. I have made clear what I will do with other India Bloc leaders,” Mamata said.
Mamata warns BJP: Power may not last long
She warned the BJP that power is not permanent and history could repeat itself once they are out of office. Mamata said she had seen governments led by Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh, but had never witnessed such “atrocities”.
