Modi using 'demonetised' money to buy votes: Mamata

Serampore/Krishnanagar/Burdwan: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the BJP is importing guns and goons to ensure votes in its favour and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of converting huge black money into white through demonetisation and spending it to purchase votes.

"Modi babu, you may forcibly impose notebandi (demonetisation) on people to convert black money into white and spend them during elections to purchase votes, but you can never purchase voters in Bengal," Banerjee said during a public meeting at Serampore in support of Trinamool Congress candidates.

"You (Modi) are destined to lose this election. Our government will prove to the people what a big scam demonetisation was," the TMC supremo said. Banerjee, who is among the strongest critics of the saffron party, said that BJP "goons" are even organising rallies with arms and sharp-edged weapons to vitiate the environment and unleash terror. "Rest assured, the bikes will be taken away once the election is over," she remarked.

"We must foil such bids to maintain peace and harmony in the state," she added.

"It is the people who either accept or discard political parties. By deploying the Central Forces, Modi cannot with the election. I have faith in my people and Modi has faith in the Central Forces. They cannot cast vote in your favour. Rest assured, you will be voted out Modi babu," she maintained. Continued on P5