Mamata Banerjee proposes 1:1 formula to take on BJP in 2024 elections

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday prescribed a 1:1 formula for anti-BJP parties to fight the ruling party at the Centre for next year's general elections.

Explaining her formula, she said each opposition party should fight in its domain of strength to tackle the BJP.

Banerjee, the Trinamul Congress chief, said at a party rally in Shamsherganj in Murshidabad: "I call upon all the Opposition parties to be united and fight the polls on one-is-to-one basis. They should fight in wherever they are strong. We have no problem with that. Try to work unitedly."

She accused the BJP of misusing Central investigative agencies and said the party would not get votes because of it.

"They send the ED and CBI telling them to trigger blasts. If their officer says what to do as there is no case, they ask him to make a dhamaka at least to defame someone. Don't defame Ram and the country. There will be no benefits using agencies. You are not going to get votes from the agencies' votes."

Hitting back at her, state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said, "We know the fight has always been BJP versus all. We are prepared for this fight in the Lok Sabha polls. But Congress and CPI(M) need to decide if they want to join the TMC in its fight.” On Banerjee’s allegations on the misuse of Central agencies, he said, “If someone steals, he has to face punishment for the crime. It is in the Constitution."