'Don’t want power, want BJP’s destruction in Delhi': Mamata Banerjee ups ante amid Bengal polls

NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday launched a sharp attack on the BJP during a poll rally in Kolkata, accusing the party of influencing the state’s administrative machinery and vowing to politically counter it beyond Bengal."The names of all those who are working for BJP are listed... You've brought in people based on their BJP background and appointed officers accordingly... Remember, you don't have the capacity to defeat us... We fight against injustice, we fight for our rights," Mamata said while addressing a poll rally in Kolkata."I was born in Bengal and will die in Bengal... After winning Bengal, I will take over Delhi... I don't want power, I want the BJP's destruction in Delhi... Not only will there be destruction in Bengal, but the BJP will also have to be removed from Delhi," she added.This comes amid an intense campaign battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), the BJP and the Congress in the ongoing assembly elections.The high-stakes contest has seen both sides trade sharp barbs, with Mamata repeatedly accusing the BJP of attempting to influence the electoral process, while the BJP has targeted the TMC government over alleged misgovernance and corruption.The elections have also witnessed record voter participation. West Bengal recorded one of its highest-ever turnouts, with polling figures crossing around 92%, the highest since the Left Front’s exit from power in 2011.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have interpreted the strong turnout as a sign of public desire for change, with the PM calling it an "overwhelming mandate for change" and expressing confidence that the results will favour the BJP.Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.