Mamata Banerjee questions seven-phase elections in state; asks why people "being tortured in scorching heat"

Paschim Medinipur (West Bengal) [India], April 26 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre over the Lok Sabha elections being held in the state in seven phases amid 'scorching heat'.
She held a rally in support of Trinamool Congress candidate and Bengali actor Deepak Adhikari at Pingla of Ghatal Lok Sabha in Paschim Medinipur district.
Addressing the event, she said, "Voting is taking place here over three months in the scorching heat. We have 42 seats, Tamil Nadu has 39 seats. Their voting (Tamil Nadu) is over. But voting in Bengal is taking place in seven phases. Why are the people of Bengal being tortured so much?"
High temperatures have raised concern this election cycle, as campaigns marked by outdoor political rallies and the casting of votes draw thousands of people under the scorching heat.
Notably, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will likely prevail in many places over Gangetic West Bengal.

Further accusing the Centre of not releasing the allocation for the MNREGA scheme in the state, she asked people not to vote for the BJP.
"Ask them (BJP) what happened to the 100-day work programme that was to be paid by the Centre. They collect taxes from the state but deprive them of funds. Have they paid in the last 3 years? We have released the pending wages of the MNREGA workers. Therefore, not a single vote for BJP," the CM said.
Attacking the Congress party and CPI (M), CM Mamata said that the two parties are "two eyes" of BJP in the state. She added that if the INDIA bloc comes to power, she will ensure the money owed by West Bengal reaches here.
"BJP has two eyes in Bengal. CPM and Congress. I created the INIDA Alliance. I am proud of it. I am proud of the name I gave it. If the polls are good across Bengal, we will show the way in Delhi. We will bring the money we owe. I will work for poor people. We will work on development," she further said.
She also spoke about the development and welfare schemes by the TMC government in the state, including in the Medinipur region.
"We have established six multi-specialty hospitals in Medinipur itself. From medical colleges to advanced facilities our commitment to region development is unwavering," CM Mamata said.
"We are initiating Karmashree, offering 50 days of guaranteed employment. The job card holder will receive employment and wages will be provided by the West Bengal government. The amount will be directly deposited into your bank accounts," she added.
During the public rally, CM Mamata Banerjee joined the local artists and danced with them on the stage.
The voting in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha elections is being held in seven phases. The results for all 543 seats will be declared on June 4.
So far, polling has taken place in six seats. The two seats of Malda Uttar and Malda Dakshin will go to the polls in Phase 3 on May 7. Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency will go to polls on May 25 during the sixth phase.
In 2014, TMC won 34 out of 42 seas, while BJP could only win 2 seats. But in 2019, the BJP registered a strong performance and improved its tally to 18 seats, while TMC' number came down to 22.