Accept people's mandate: Mamata Banerjee to BJP amid post-poll violence

In a regular press briefing, Banerjee has alleged that the central ministers, who belong to the BJP, are instigating violence in the state after the results, where the BJP won 77 seats as opposed to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s 213 seats.

"Within 24 hours of my oath, letters, central team, ministers are coming! I would ask the BJP to control itself. I would appeal to them to accept people's mandate. They (BJP) have failed to accept people's mandate so such incidents are occurring," Banerjee said.

"Central teams do not come when there is a shortage of oxygen, saline, vaccines, during Hathras incident, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh riots and when journalists are killed," she said.

Banerjee, who took a slew of measures immediately after swearing-in as the Chief Minister on Wednesday to stem the Covid-19 spread, said anyone from outside West Bengal including central team members will have to show a Covid-19 negative report or undergo a test.

Incidentally, Union Minister and BJP leader V Muraleedharan was on Thursday attacked in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district while he was on his way to oversee the ground scenario after the post-poll violence.

As per reports, 16 people belonging to various political parties have been killed in violence, which occurred after the poll results were announced on Sunday.

The Chief Minister on Thursday announced Rs. 2 lakh as a compensation to the family of the deceased. "The compensation is not discriminatory. 16 people from TMC, BJP and Sanjukta Morcha have been killed," said Banerjee.

On Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar's target at the state government on Twitter over the law and order, Banerjee refused to make a comment and said, "Please forgive me. I will not say anything. He likes to tweet. He has to do something for publicity."

Meanwhile, Banerjee has sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release funds for the Centre's farmers scheme, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, which has been allowed by the TMC government after blocking it for years.

"The Prime Minister had asked officers to be ready to transfer the money. So we are asking him to release the money," said Banerjee.

The Prime Minister while campaigning for the BJP during the elections had promised people to credit the pending amount of Rs. 18,000 to each farmer of the state once the party comes to power.