100 per cent unity among United India forces: Mamata

Kolkata: With the world's biggest democracy all set to begin the 40-day election process in which an eighth of the world's population will cast their franchise, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee reiterated with renewed vigour and conviction that there is 100 percent unity among the United India allies and that Bengal will play a major role in the formation of the new government at the Centre.

"All the regional parties will do well in the election and a national party will have to join the United India forces. Bengal will play a leading role in the formation of the new government in Delhi," she said.

In the same breath, she said her party will get 42 out of 42 seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. In an interview to a vernacular television channel on Monday evening, the Chief Minister said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls me a 'speed breaker'. As far as I know, speed breakers are installed to control speed and save lives." She further added that never in the past, India has seen such an arrogant Prime Minister whose language does not suit the post of a Prime Minister. "I have worked with great leaders like Atalji, Advaniji, Gujralji, Rajivji, Deve Gowdaji, Narasimha Raoji but never have I come across such arrogance. The only thing he wants is publicity."

Asked about giving tickets to film stars like Mimi Chakraborty from Jadavpur, Nusrat Jahan from Basirhat and Moon Moon Sen from Asansol, she said: "All of them will win. Mimi will do great work. The CPI(M) candidate in Jadavpur is former Mayor of Kolkata who could not be traced during severe waterlogging in the city. Nusrat will win from Basirhat while Moon Moon will win from Asansol. Besides being the daughter of matinee idol Suchitra Sen, Moon Moon is a highly accomplished lady."

Asked whether the Trinamool Congress will win in Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Darjeeling, she said: "Our candidates will win from these seats. In Darjeeling, BJP had won in 2014 by dividing the people. But this time this trick will not work. There are four Assembly constituencies in the plains and another three constituencies in the Hills. Our candidate Amar Singh Rai is a localite and is respected by all. He will win the election."

Banerjee said a probe should be conducted into the source of BJP's money. "They are spending crores of rupees on meetings. They are paying money to the voters — Rs 1,000 and at times Rs 5,000 to the voters to cast votes in their favour." Asked about the fight between the TMC and Congress in the state, Banerjee said: "There is a pact between BJP, CPI(M) and Congress. In Murshidabad, RSS is helping a Congress candidate while BJP is helping the CPI(M) candidate in Jadavpur. But despite these unofficial pacts, Mausam Noor will win from Malda North and Moazzem Hossain from Malda South seats respectively. Apurba Sarkar and Abu Taher will win from Berhampore and Murshidabad as well."

Talking on the arbitrary surveys by several media houses, the TMC supremo said: "Most of them are bogus and are paid surveys. Most of the national television channels have been sold out and are showing concocted news. I have stopped watching television because of conflicting news. The top brass in the media has been purchased by the BJP."

Referring to Modi as a fake 'chowkidar', she said: "I have challenged him to sit for an open debate. I know it is difficult for him to accept it as he has lied throughout these five years and hasn't done anything constructive."

She also maintained: "Modi is talking shamelessly about the air strike in his election campaigns. But there will be a strike by the voters and on May 23, he will be ousted from Delhi."