Kolkata, April 11 – The President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, Samik Bhattacharya, made a sarcastic remark about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday, criticizing her allegations that the main opposition party was bringing people from other states. Bhattacharya criticized the ruling party in West Bengal, stating that the BJP is actually bringing people from "Mars and Antarctica".
Earlier, Chief Minister Banerjee had accused the BJP of bringing "paid supporters" and "voters" from outside the state, such as Uttar Pradesh, to influence the upcoming Assembly elections, scheduled for April 23 and 29.
Reacting to the allegation, Bhattacharya said, "No, not from Uttar Pradesh. We are bringing people from Mars and Antarctica."
Reiterating the issue of illegal infiltration, the West Bengal BJP chief alleged a "silent demographic invasion" in the state, as well as in neighboring Bihar and Jharkhand.
"We have been facing a silent demographic invasion in West Bengal for a long time. The entire design of our border districts has been changed. Not only the border districts or the demography of West Bengal, but also in Bihar and Jharkhand," Bhattacharya said.
He alleged that the demography of even the border districts in Bihar and Jharkhand has changed "due to Mamata Banerjee".
"This is a very unfortunate situation. The internal security of the country is being compromised," the State BJP Chief said.
Bhattacharya claimed that migrant laborers, who were "forced to leave" Bengal due to lack of opportunities, will soon return to the state.
"According to the data I have received, 73 special trains will be arriving in West Bengal, carrying all the migrant laborers. These are the people who were compelled to leave due to lack of job opportunities (in Bengal)," he said.
The BJP leader also spoke about the party's election manifesto for the state.
"Our Sankalp Patra (election manifesto) has been made keeping in view the emotions, resentment, and needs of the people of West Bengal," he said.
Emphasizing on the promises made in the BJP manifesto for women, youth, and farmers, Bhattacharya added, "The manifesto includes provisions for women, educated youth, and farmers, especially those who cultivate potatoes."
Expressing confidence in the BJP's victory in West Bengal, the State BJP Chief said, "We will get a comfortable majority in the poll-bound state."
"The people have already made up their minds that, under any circumstance, they will oust the Trinamool Congress from West Bengal," Bhattacharya asserted.
Moreover, he alleged, "There is nothing called Mamata's (Banerjee) government."