Mamata Banerjee intensifies attack on BJP, says 'attack my house... we know how to resist’

Mamata Banerjee

• Mamata Banerjee challenges BJP to target TMC leaders' homes
• Four arrested for throwing stones at minister's home
• West Bengal elections scheduled for April 23 and 29

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Intensifying its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Monday challenged the saffron party to target her residence and those of other Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders.

Banerjee, a day after the Election Commission announced the poll dates for upcoming elections, addressed a rally in Kolkata, where she accused the saffron party of deliberately targeting the ruling party in Bengal.

“I challenge BJP to attack houses of me, other TMC leaders; we know how to resist,” news agency PTI quoted Banerjeeas saying during the rally. The chief minister’s remarks came after allegations surfaced that stones were thrown at the residence of West Bengal minister Shashi Panja in the Girish Park area of Kolkata, reported PTI.

Police said four people were arrested for allegedly being involved in the clash, while raids were underway to apprehend others linked to the incident.

Banerjee further accused the BJP of orchestrating the attack and condemned the alleged violence on the day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in the state.

Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with Trinamool Congress leaders and party workers, held a protest rally against the central government over reports of a shortage of LPG gas cylinders amid the ongoing conflict in the West Asia.

The development comes a day after the Election Commission announced the schedule for the West Bengal Assembly elections, which will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

The Trinamool Congress chief, who trounced the mighty Left regime in Bengal in the 2011 Assembly polls, is now eyeing a fourth term as Chief Minister. The 71-year-old firebrand leader faces anti-incumbency due to her long rule, but remains the tallest political leader in the state, with mass appeal unmatched by anyone in her rival camps.

The BJP, which won 77 seats in the 294-member Assembly, will be going all-out for a breakthrough in this election. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the party's campaign, and a galaxy of top BJP leaders are likely to address rallies in Bengal in the run-up to the polls.