Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing two rallies in Bengal on Saturday, said TMC’s complaints against the Election Commission and EVMs show that it is “khela sesh” (game over) for the party led by Mamata Banerjee and “Didi should accept defeat”.
The TMC supremo hit back, stating that the saffron party was trying to destroy the culture of the state and divide Bengal for its own gains.
Speaking at a rally at Haripal in Hooghly district, which goes to the polls on April 6, Modi said, “She keeps criticising EVM, the EC….If players keep criticising umpires, you should know their ‘khela sesh’ (game’s over).”
“Didi has got jittery after sensing defeat. That’s why she is criticising everybody and everything, from EC to EVMs. She is abusing me. But while abusing me, she has hurt the self-respect of the people of Bengal by saying they are taking money to attend our rallies,” the PM said.
He added, “Do people of Bengal take money to attend rallies, Didi? Who are you insulting while abusing me? You are insulting the people of the state. Didi, you have betrayed the people, and so you should accept defeat.”
The third phase of the Bengal elections will be held in 31 assembly constituencies on April 6. The state will see five more phases of polling after that, with the last one slated to be held on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.
Surjitt Sahani
