"When PM Gives Instructions...": Mamata Banerjee's Swipe And Bypolls Call

Mamata Banerjee led the Trinamool Congress to victory in the April-May election but lost from Nandigram to Suvendu Adhikari, and must now win a bypoll in six months to stay as Chief Minister

Mamata Banerjee took a few jabs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi today as she called for bypolls within a week, saying "... when PM gives instructions, Election Commission will act..." "I request Prime Minister to give instructions for bypolls. Covid is down... bypolls can be held within seven days. I have heard that when PM gives instructions the Election Commission will act," Ms Banerjee said at a press conference in Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon. "Why delay? Bengal polls were held when Covid positivity rate was 30 per cent. Now it is down to three per cent, or less...," she said, in a pointed reference to criticism of the top poll body's decision to continue with five-state elections amid the devastating second Covid wave. Ms Banerjee weathered a vitriolic opposition campaign and clashes with the poll body, which she accused of conspiring with the BJP in ordering the eight-phase poll to lead the Trinamool Congress to victory and claim a third straight term as Chief Minister of Bengal.