TMC to Move EC After Modi Claims 40 MLAs ‘in Touch’ With Him

Narendra Modi also assailed Mamata Banerjee over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying “Didi, Dilli door hai.”

Mamata Banerjee also demanded that Modi’s candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written “does not know” on many counts in his affidavit.

(Photo: Shruti Mathur/The Quint)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed on Monday, 29 April, that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him and will desert their party once the BJP wins the general elections.

He also accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of nepotism, insisting she wants to politically establish her nephew in West Bengal.

Modi also assailed her over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying "Didi, Dilli door hai.(Delhi is far away for you).”

“Forty TMC MLAs are in touch with me and all your MLAs will desert you once the BJP wins the elections. Political ground has slipped from under your feet,” Modi told an election rally in Sreerampur, targeting the West Bengal chief minister.

Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien said that his party will be moving the Election Commission, charging the prime minister with horse-trading.

Mocking Banerjee for losing her cool as she is "sensing defeat," Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister.

“With just a handful of seats, ‘Didi’ you can’t reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew,” he said.

Banerjee's nephew Abhishek is a sitting MP from Diamond Harbour and the TMC candidate for the seat.

Will Ask EC For Spending Details of PM’s Rallies: Mamata Banerjee

Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, Banerjee on Sunday, 28 April, said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies.

Banerjee also demanded that Modi’s candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written “does not know” on many counts in his affidavit.

Addressing back-to-back rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spending in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?"

Taking her diatribe against the prime minister to his home-front, she claimed that “all throughout his life, Modi never respected his mother or his wife.”

"You shy away from giving your wife her due respect, what respect will you give to the people?" the CM said.

(With inputs from PTI)