Branding West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as an outsider in Nandigram, BJP leader and her former protege Suvendu Adhikari on March 10 asserted that people duped by chit fund companies in the State would get back their money if the saffron party is voted to power.
Accusing Ms. Banerjee of trying to divide communities on religious lines ahead of the Assembly elections, Mr. Adhikari said the Trinamool Congress chief had “incorrectly” recited the ‘Chandipath’ (holy text) in Nandigram on March 9.
The chit fund scam happened because of the TMC government and its leaders “looted public money”, he alleged.
“She [Banerjee] is an outsider in Nandigram. She does not even cast her vote here. I am not only the ‘bhoomiputra’ [son of the soil of Nandigram], but also a regular voter of the area.
“I have been with the people of this place for several years unlike Banerjee, who comes here only during polls,” Mr. Adhikari said, while inaugurating his election office.
Nandigram Assembly constituency is set for a high- octane battle with Ms. Banerjee deciding to contest from the seat against Mr. Adhikari.
