May 18, 2018
Compassion and statesmanship hallmark of Didi presser after huge Panchayat poll win
Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, reacting to the Panchayat election results on Thursday evening, said that despite the tie-up between the Opposition parties in some places, including with the Maoists, “The Trinamool has won 90% of the seats where elections were held. This shows how strong we are at the grassroot level.”
“We had candidates in many seats that were uncontested. But the Supreme Court will decide on that. In today’s results, that include the re-polling in about 600 booths which, keep in mind, has not happened before, show that this has been a contest where the CPI(M), Congress, BJP and Maoists have fought together. Even then, Trinamool has won in 90% seats.
“There has been violence and some incidents have taken place. But Bengal panchayat elections are very political. They have been so from the early Left Front rule. We wanted peaceful polling but incidents have taken place, and which are related to both sides. It must be remembered that 10 Trinamool workers have also died. However, a lot of disrespect has been shown, and remarks made that are unconstitutional. We have kept quiet.
“Why did the BSF interfere in the border districts of Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram, bordering the BJP-ruled Jharkhand, and Murshidabad and Malda, bordering Bangladesh? Voting had to be stopped. A lot of money has come in from Assam and Jharkhand. All these will end democracy in the country. The Tripura elections have opened our eyes.
“The Opposition said the filing of nominations was prevented. But over 28,000 Opposition candidates had filed. Then why all these lies? Whenever an incident happened, action was taken. It is very sad for those who have died. We will look after the shahid families, whichever party they may be from.
The presiding officer (of a booth in Raiganj) left early, saying he had a headache. The train driver said his train knocked down a person at the spot where his body was found. The CID is probing the incident. But why are so many accusations flying around? If there was no democracy, then voting would not have taken place for so many seats.
“The BJP-Congress tie-up lost in Murshidabad. It was expected. They will go to any extent. Can you believe that the Maoists are working with the BJP? Lots of injustice have taken place. We want peace. For those who lost, I will say, let us work together.”
She also said monetary help will be provided “in whatever way we can” to the families of those who have lost their lives. On the horse-trading in Karnataka, Mamata Banerjee said, “I will not complain against the BJP or against a particular situation. In general, the situation is bad. Goa, Manipur, and now Karnataka are going that way. Please do not violate the Constitution. Why did the Governor not call Kumaraswamy even after he produced the list of 116 MLAs? This is a constitutional crisis. The Governor cannot decide on the basis of political choice. Democracy must be protected. I spoke with Mayawati ji and Chandrababu Naidu on this. I appeal to the President to please guide the country.”
“There may be differences between political parties. But we must all work for the nation. If regional parties can come together, I will be the happiest,” she concluded.
