"Mamata asked me to support her in Nandigram," claims BJP leader

A BJP leader in Nandigram has claimed that Chief Minister Mamata contacted him over the telephone, imploring to help her win in the Nandigram constituency. Pralay Pal, who switched to BJP camp alleging humiliation in the Mamata-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), made the claim on Saturday amid the Phase 1 polling in the state.

Kolkata: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Nandigram has claimed that Chief Minister Mamata contacted him over the telephone, imploring to help her win in the Nandigram constituency. Pralay Pal, who switched to BJP camp alleging humiliation in the Mamata-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), made the claim on Saturday amid the Phase 1 polling in the state.

Meanwhile, BJP's state in-charge and IT cell chief Amit Malviya took to Twitter to share an audio clip — which he claims reveals the alleged conversation between Mamata and Pal.

Sharing the audio clip of the alleged conversation, BJP leader Amit Malviya tweeted on Saturday, "Massive! Mamata Banerjee calls Proloy Pal, BJP’s district Vice President in Nandigram and pleads for help! Proloy tells her that he was humiliated in TMC and he along with this family cannot betray the BJP. Pishi is definitely losing Nandigram and TMC Bengal..."

Amit Malviya tweeted

"Today, I received a call from Banerjee. She asked me to support her," Pal said.

Earlier, taking a dig at TMC, Malviya tweeted, "TMC spokesperson's concern is Mamata Banerjee winning Nandigram, What about rest of West Bengal? Given up? The fear and nervousness in TMC on Pishi's own prospects is palpable. They know she is losing Nandigram and Bengal, both."

On the other hand, the TMC claimed that Banerjee's campaign will get another boost with Shah's roadshow. As the first phase of polling in 30 Assembly constituencies began on Saturday, TMC Rajya Sabha member Derek O Brien tweeted, "May 2, Trinamool will win Bengal. Bengal's daughter (Banerjee) will defeat Bengal's traitor in his 'backyard' in Nandigram.

Mo-Sha and members of the tourist gang will continue trying to destroy every institution. Women in Bengal will continue to wear saris any way they want."

Referring to Shah's roadshow, the TMC leader further said, "The Mamata Banerjee campaign in Nandigram just got another boost. We hear that a member of the Tourist Gang (part-time HM) will be doing a roadshow there on March 30. Khela Hobe, bring it on."

Polling in Nandigram will be held in the second phase of elections in the state on April 1.

(With IANS inputs)

(ETV Bharat does not vouch for the authenticity of the audio. We have carried the report based on BJP leader Amit Malviya's tweet)