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News Desk: A day after pledging unconditional support to Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the upcoming assembly elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday clarified that he will not let any “fascist force” to come to power in Bengal.
“It is our priority and duty to not let any communal and fascist force come into power (in West Bengal). We have decided to strengthen Mamata ji’s hands and give our unconditional support to her. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called us and we will be there, wherever she needs us,” Tejashwi told media persons in Kolkata.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and son of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had on March 1 declared his full support to Mamata Banerjee in the coming state elections.
“It is Lalu ji’s decision to provide full support to Mamata ji. Our first priority is to stop BJP from coming to power in Bengal,” Tejashwi told reporters after meeting the TMC supremo at state secretariat Nabanna.
Taking a jibe at the “baaraat” of BJP leaders arriving in West Bengal in the recent weeks to campaign for the party, the RJD leader questioned their ability to run the government in West Bengal better than Mamata.
“The BJP is such a big party. The BJP has brought a ‘baaraat’ (procession) of all the union ministers to West Bengal. Who is their groom? Name a single BJP leader who is more experienced than Mamata Banerjee in running the government. Will you hand over power to a leader who does not have any experience?” he asked.
West Bengal is headed for an eight-phased Assembly election beginning March 27. The results will be announced on May 2.
Mamata Banerjee is seeking a third consecutive term, while the BJP is ambitious to win at least 200 seats in the 294-member Assembly. The Congress and the Left have joined hands for the polls.
The Model Code of Conduct is also in force in the state.
