Late because chopper suffered glitch, won't call it conspiracy: Amit Shah takes a dig at CM Mamata Banerjee

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a jibe at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday and said that there was a glitch in his helicopter, but he will not call it a "conspiracy".

Addressing a campaign rally in West Bengal's Ranibandh in the Bankura district, Shah said, "I am a little late today because of some glitch in my helicopter but I won't call it a conspiracy."

Shah was referring to the Nandigram where Mamata Banerjee suffered injuries on her leg and shoulder and alleged that she was manhandled by four or five men.

I apologise to the people of Jhargram for not being able to address the rally in person due to technical snag in my chopper. But I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for turning out in such large numbers. Let Jhargram be the harbinger of change and usher Ashol Poriborton. pic.twitter.com/DGNf3nbyaj

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 15, 2021

"Mamata ji has a leg injury, it's now known how she got it. TMC calls it a conspiracy but EC says it was an accident," he further said.

Amit Shah also said that even the Election Commission has said there was no attack on Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram. "130 people [BJP workers] have died in your regime. Do you understand their pain? You only know your pain after your leg injury."

On Sunday, the Election Commission of India (ECI), after receiving reports from the state chief secretary and special election observers, announced that her injuries were, in fact, due to an accident, and not due to any conspiracy against her. It also took actions against officials responsible for the chief minister’s security.

Earlier, Shah had attended a virtual rally in Jhargram, West Bengal. He slammed the Banerjee-led TMC government and said that Bengal which was once India’s leader is now entangled in "goondaraj".

"Bengal was at one time was India's leader. It was the hub of education, freedom fighters, religious leadership and more. The same Bengal is entangled in goondaraj," said Shah during the virtual rally on Monday.

He further said that the TMC government has taken Bengal to new lows in the last 10 years. "Corruption, political violence, polarisation, Hindus and SC/STs had to go to courts for celebrating their festivals - this is the sort of situation they have brought to the state, ruining development in the state," Shah said.

Elections to 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in eight phases starting from March 27 with the final round of voting taking place on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.

(With inputs from agencies)