Will get a thumping majority: Mamata

The overwhelming response of people was a clear indicator that Trinamool Congress is coming back to power with a handsome majority despite canards spread by the Opposition and a section of the media.

On Thursday she took part in two rallies, one from Sulekha to Gariahat and the other in her Bhowanipore constituency. Party heavyweights including Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Aroop Biswas and Manish Gupta took part in the procession. The campaign ended at 6 pm for the constituencies in South Kolkata, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly.

Addressing the people at Sulekha she said the Opposition along with ABP group were spreading rumours that the alliance would come to power. “Do not get swayed by the rumour and rest assured that the TMC has already obtained the magic figure to form the government in the first four phases of election.”

She said people had seen how CPI(M) had unleashed a reign of terror in vast areas surrounding Jadavpur. Over 55,000 Congress supporters were killed and many were forced to leave the area. “But now they are trying to come back to power holding Congress’ hands. People will foil their attempts to set up red terror in the guise of establishing democracy,” she remarked.

Recalling her long association with Jadavpur she said, she was first elected as an MP from Jadavpur when she defeated CPI(M) heavyweight Somnath Chatterjee.

She alleged that the Election Commission of India was trying to scare the voters by imposing 144 CrPC. They should specify the area where it would be promulgated, she maintained. “Go to the polling station fearlessly and cast your vote,” she advised the people.

Banerjee participated in another rally in her constituency Bhowanipore. Earlier she told the people that it would not be possible for her to concentrate on her constituency and promised to organise a rally. As she kept her promise there was an outpouring of excitement. The rally started opposite Beltala Girls’ High School. Then it marched through Shyamananda Road, Ramesh Mitra Road, Rajendra Road and reached Hazra via Asutosh Mukherjee Road. Thousands of people took part in the rally. Some showered petals while others handed flower bouquets. Some came close to her and tried to touch her hand. Banerjee stopped and talked to them and urged them to cast their vote in favour of TMC candidates. As the rally proceeded towards the destination the crowds swelled, and the police and Banerjee’s security personnel had a trying time controlling the crowd.