‘Spine is straight’

West Bengal's soon-to-be three-time Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who pulled off a stupendous victory after an all-out fight by the BJP, yesterday declared that the BJP is "not all in all" and the people have put them in their place. 

"The people have stopped the ruination... the spine is straight," added the chief minister, who ahead of the election had repeatedly told the people about the BJP will use money power to buy their votes.

"Take their money but vote as you please," she had declared in rally after rally.

She yesterday appealed to everyone to maintain peace and not indulge in any violence. "We know BJP and central forces have tortured us a lot but we have to maintain peace. At present, we have to fight Covid-19," Mamata said.

Violence broke out in parts of West Bengal on Sunday night. Houses and vehicles of some Bharatiya Janata Party candidates were allegedly attacked and a party office at Arambagh was set on fire. The vehicle of Suvendu Adhikari, who defeated chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, was also attacked. The Union ministry of home affairs yesterday asked Bengal government for report over post-poll violence in state.

Meanwhile, party secretary general Partha Chatterjee said yesterday TMC chief will be sworn in Chief Minister for a third straight term tomorrow.

The decision was taken at a meeting Mamata had with TMC newly-elected lawmakers in the state in Kolkata.