Trinamool already past century mark, says Abhishek Banerjee

KOLKATA: Abhishek Banerjee on Friday claimed that Trinamool has already secured more than 100 seats in the first phase of assembly elections held on Thursday, while accusing Union home minister Amit Shah of "threatening voters".

Addressing a rally in Jagatballavpur in Howrah, Banerjee said, "Are you watching how BJP is behaving in such a restless manner? What happened in the first phase of voting yesterday? I don't make political predictions, but when I do, they come true. You saw it in 2021, it happened in 2024, and it will happen in 2026. I'm telling you now, Trinamool crossed a century yesterday. Just 10 more days. Verify it."



Later, at Diamond Harbour's Kapat Hat, he said the tally could be "either 105 or 110".

"I have chosen Diamond Harbour to give you the good news. We have crossed the century tally — it could be either 105 or 110. Where this tally will stop, I do not know. The Union home minister claimed in 2019 that he would put my office in Diamond Harbour under lock and key. Today, BJP has no flag bearer. My office at Amtala is very much there. You may have all the agencies, but Trinamool has the people with them," he said.

"Those who said they would lock Bengalis inside (their houses) on the 23rd and the 29th are now restless. In Bengal — in our land, your and my birthplace — some Gujarati goons were threatening us with the slogan—we will hang you upside down," he said.

He added that he had not used abusive language against Shah. "I just told the Union home minister that it's getting too hot, so drink some more water and keep a cool head. And if you have any courage, be here on the afternoon of May 4. (Yet) today, while addressing a press meet, he alleged that I used abusive language. Has anyone heard me use abusive language in the last 15 years? I say it again — it's getting too hot, keep a cool head. Also, think about why those living in Bihar under a double-engine govt are leaving their state to come to Bengal to sell jhalmuri or make a living," he said.

Banerjee said Bengalis would respond in "the exact language" BJP understands. "Answer them in such a manner that they understand. Clean bowl them," he added.
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