Mamata Banerjee asked why PM Modi campaigns on election day (File)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned Prime minister Narendra Modi's campaigns in West Bengal amid the second phase of polling on Thursday, saying it is a violation of the model code of conduct.
"Why Narendra Modi comes to Bengal on every polling day? Why will he campaign on election day? If we cannot campaign in election areas then why he addresses the people with all facilities, including Doordarshan, on polling day? Is it not a violation of the model code of conduct?" Ms Banerjee asked while talking to reporters.
Ms Banerjee's remark comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held rallies in Bengal's Jaynagar and Uluberia on Thursday.
Mamata Banerjee has been visiting booths in the Nandigram constituency and alleged that BJP's goon from Bihar and UP are being protected by the central forces.
"Home Minister himself is instructing the CRPF, BSF and other jawans to help BJP and its goons. We have given so many letters to the Election Commission but they are unilaterally supporting BJP candidates," the Chief Minister said.
"I am showing you "V" for victory sign. Whatever you (Election Commission) try, BJP will not win. In Nandigram, 90 per cent of the votes will go to Trinamool Congress (TMC). I am sorry Election Commission and Amit Shah, please control your goons who are heckling woman journalists in rallies. I cannot reveal what I discussed with the Observer and the Governor. It is confidential. I have not seen such a bad election," she said.
Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar over the phone from a polling booth in Nandigram. "They did not allow the local people to cast their vote. From morning I am campaigning... Now I am appealing to you, please see..." she told the Governor.
In phase-II, a total of 30 Assembly constituencies from the districts of South 24 Parganas, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur are heading in to vote.
Out of the 171 candidates in the fray, 152 are men. Only 11 per cent of the candidates are women.
Among these candidates, two are undoubtedly the most prominent figures - Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her former ministerial colleague Suvendu Adhikari, who had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in December last year.
Nandigram is experiencing the most high-profile contest with Ms Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari taking on each other. Mr Adhikari had earlier pledged that he would quit politics if he does not defeat Mamata Banerjee by 50,000 votes in Nandigram.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)