Mamata pitches for Opposition unity, says BJP’s victory not people’s mandate

In response to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s big win in the 2022 Assembly elections of four out of five poll-bound states on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for a powerful alliance by all anti-BJP parties to fight in the 2024 general elections. 

“If Congress wants we all can fight (2024 general elections) together. Don’t be aggressive for now, be positive. This winning will be a big loss for BJP. This is impractical,”ANI quoted Banerjee at a press conference. 

The West Bengal Chief Minister added that the BJP’s victory in the states is “not a true reflection of people’s mandate”.

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“The party (BJP) should not raise its voice much just because they have won in a few states. This victory is not a true reflection of the people’s mandate. This verdict is because of the blatant use of the election machinery to loot votes. Akhilesh Yadav has lost not because of people’s mandate but due to loot of votes,” she said. 

Attributing the BJP’s victory to “loot and malpractices of EVM”, she alleged, “There was loot and malpractices of EVM. Samajwadi Party’s Chief Akhilesh Yadav shouldn’t be disheartened and should seek forensic tests of the same EVM machines. Akhilesh Yadav’s vote percentage increased from 20% to 37% this time.”

Banerjee further pitched for Opposition unity for the 2024 general elections. “All political polities that want to fight BJP should walk together,” she added.

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Lauding the Trinamool Congress for contesting in the Goa elections and garnering 6% votes, Banerjee said that the vote percentage “is enough”, as the party launched itself in the coastal state only three months ago.

“Trinamool Congress got 6% votes in Goa within three months of the party’s launch there. It is enough,” she said.