Suvendu Adhikari says Mamata-led TMC rigged 2018 Panchayat polls: 'I was there so I know'

In a big claim, TMC-turned BJP leer Suvendu hikari while dressing a poll rally in West Bengal's Jhargram said that 2018 panchayat polls were rigged. He claimed that he was in TMC n and h witnessed how TMC used police force and rigged  ballots. He said that people of Jhargram and Purulia h voted for lotus. Claiming that Mamata Banerjee-led party used force to t allow opposition to file ir mination, hikari said violence was unleashed on polling day on orders of TMC. His claim assumes significance as in 2018, TMC won uncontested in around 34.2% seats.

hikari, who was one of close aide of Mamata and Nandigram mastermind, said, "I was n in TMC. People of Jhargram and Purulia h voted for lotus (symbol of BJP). But TMC used police force that night, till around 3 am, to rig ballots. It was BJP who h actually won Zilla Parish of Jhargram and Purulia. But public opinion was never reflected."

He continued, " opposition was t allowed to file ir mination. Goons armed with guns and bombs h surrounded BDO offices, where minations were to be filed. Opposition leers were implicated in false cases and some were even abducted to ensure that y are t able to file minations. y were t allowed to campaign, and violence was unleashed on polling day."

RE | Mamata govt sets up Netaji panel, wants national holiday & formation of 'Jai Hind Bahini'

RE | Mamata mocks Centre's 'Parakram Diwas', wants four capitals in India and Netaji memorial'

hikari h earlier taunted CM Mamata and claimed that more TMC leers will exit party. Banerjee has anunced that she will contest from Nandigram seat where she will be trounced. Besides, her vote share in Bhowanipore constituency has also shrunk drastically since 2019 Lok Sabha elections. TMC supremo may also declare in coming days that she will contest from Domjur or Bally seats. But wherever she goes, she will face music," hikari said while dressing a public meeting.

Intensifying battle for Bengal, Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee on 18 January, anunced that she will contest from Nandigram in upcoming state polls. She suggested that she may contest from both Bhawanipore and Nandigram, setting up a direct faceoff with her ex-confidante Suvendu hikari. . ex-Nandigram MLA was mastermind of 2007 Nandigram agitation - responded, "I will leave politics if I fail to defeat her by half a lakh votes". However, he later said that he will ensure victory of anyone who contests on BJP ticket from Nandigram.

RE | Suvendu hikari Hints At More TMC Exits; Asks Mamata 'Will You Contest From Everywhere?'

West Bengal Assembly elections 

BJP has claimed it'll win 200 seats, while Trinamool, via Prashant Kishor has contended that saffron party won't cross 99. West Bengal assembly with 294 seats will go to polls in April-May 2021, Trinamool holds 222 seats. BJP has me major inros in state in Lok Sabha elections winning 18 seats and establishing itself as major opposition force in state. Mamata Banerjee has anunced that she will contest polls from Nandigram,  place that paved way for her rule in state, and her ex-aide Suvendu hikari - who is w in BJP - has vowed to defeat her. 

RE | BJP's Bagga To Send 1 Lakh 'Jai Shri Ram' Postcards To CM Mamata After Netaji Event Row