On Adhikari turf, ‘traitors’ on Didi lips- Mamata repeated her concerns over 'vote loot', allegedly by 'outsider goons' of the BJP

Mamata repeated her concerns over 'vote loot', allegedly by 'outsider goons' of the BJP, urging the people to stay vigilant about the eight-phase polls

Mamata Banerjee waves at her supporters at the public meeting in East Midnapore’s Patashpur on Friday

Telegraph picture

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Anshuman Phadikar   |   Patashpur (East Midnapore)   |   Published 20.03.21, 01:57 AM

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Mamata Banerjee on Friday referred to “traitors” and spoke of her pain at being betrayed while addressing rallies in the Adhikari clan’s backyard in East Midnapore without taking any names.

The wheelchair-bound chief minister, who visited East Midnapore for the first time since her injury in Nandigram on March 10, held rallies in Egra, Patashpur and Mecheda, claiming that she could now travel in the district freely, no longer needing “permission”, indicating former cabinet colleague Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP’s catch of the season.

“I did come here a number of times, but East Midnapore’s control was with one particular person, where nobody else used to get importance and even I wasn’t allowed to come here much. Today, I am free. I can go anywhere in East Midnapore. Before this, I had to take permission,” said the Trinamul Congress chief, in an oblique reference to former cabinet colleague Adhikari.

“Such blind love I had for them. In return they turned out to be treacherous. Traitors will always be treacherous, I do not mind. But I couldn’t imagine that they were in touch with the BJP since 2014, that they were such Vibhishans. That is why there was so much hurt, that I couldn’t even understand. I must seek forgiveness for that,” she added, at the Patashpur rally.

Mamata was apparently addressing two things Adhikari has been saying in his public appearances for the BJP, since he jumped ship late last year. He has been accusing Mamata of remembering Nandigram or East Midnapore only when elections approach, and has said he had been in touch with the BJP — and Amit Shah — since 2014.

Mamata, on Adhikari turf for a two-day trip this time, has eight mass outreach initiatives planned, besides some socio-religious visits. As a Trinamul candidate for Nandigram against the 50-year-old Adhikari, she is leaving no campaign stone unturned.

“I will come again…. Make my candidates win, they will do your work, in addition to what I will be doing…. I am here now, in East Midnapore, and I will keep coming repeatedly,” she said.

Mamata repeated her concerns over “vote loot”, allegedly by “outsider goons” of the BJP, urging the people to stay vigilant about the eight-phase elections.

“This time, according to the BJP’s new plan, they are bringing outsider goons to loot votes. When the (electronic voting) machines are started, do ensure they are turned off and on at least twice, properly. If machines are purportedly faulty and are being replaced, wait and carefully monitor the replacement process. Ensure that they too are turned off and on at least twice. Make sure voting takes place only with machines functioning properly,” she said, hours after a delegation from her party met the Election Commission of India top brass at the Nirvachan Sadan with concerns over the fairness of Assembly polls.

“Even after voting, the EVMs must be carefully protected… for a month or more (the first phase is on March 27, counting is on May 2). Central police or state police, whoever asks you to leave, remember you must do your duty as voters, as citizens. I have faith in the police, but you must also do your bit,” she said.

She urged women to take charge whenever bohiragawto goons are seen and warned against allegedly unethical, illegitimate activities by such elements around and during the election process.

In a Nandigram rally, barely 60km away, Adhikari delivered an address peppered with communal elements in keeping with the demands of his new party.

He ended his public silence on Mamata’s injury in Nandigram, which she had alleged was an attack, by going on an offensive.

“A chief minister should talk about industrialisation and development. Instead, she has been showing everyone her leg. Every other candidate in this election is going around with folded hands. She has been showing people lathi (kick)…. Such a huge lie with which she has insulted the people,” he said. “The commission should send a medical board from AIIMS, everything will come out. Such cheating…. These things worked before 2011, but won’t work now,” he said.