Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 6: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence over threats made by Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif, who warned that Pakistan could strike Kolkata in retaliation if India attempted any “false-flag operation.”

Addressing an election campaign rally in Nadia district, Banerjee questioned why the Prime Minister did not respond to the threat during his Cooch Behar rally on Sunday and demanded an investigation into the matter. “If they talk about attacking Kolkata, we won’t accept it,” she said.

The Chief Minister also warned Trinamool Congress workers not to be swayed by early projections on counting day, May 4, when BJP candidates are expected to appear ahead in several constituencies. She urged supporters to remain at counting centres until the final results, assuring that her party would ultimately secure victory.

Banerjee criticised the Director General of the Border Security Force, Praveen Kumar, for remarks about frisking women at polling stations. She insisted that voters should cast their votes first and demanded that malfunctioning electronic voting machines be replaced rather than repaired. She also encouraged women to actively ensure voters reach polling stations without obstruction.

Further, Banerjee claimed to possess evidence of money and narcotics being brought into West Bengal from other states ahead of the Assembly elections. “We have all the evidence. We will release the videos at the right time,” she said, signalling a commitment to exposing alleged malpractices during the polls.