Mamata Banerjee is contesting from Bhawanipur for self-interest: Smriti Irani

Kolkata : Attacking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her contest from

Bhawanipur assembly by-poll scheduled on September 30, Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday said the TMC supremo is only interested to save her chair and not in development of the constituency.

Campaigning for BJP candidate from Bhawanipur, Priyanka Tibrewal, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development alleged that Banerjee was only contesting from the seat after her Nandigram defeat in March-April election to remain the Chief Minister.

“Banerjee is contesting from Bhawanipur for her self-interest and wooing the voters to save her chair following her defeat in Nandigram. She is not interested in the welfare of the people of Bhawanipur,” she said.

Irani began canvassing along with Tibrewal after offering puja at the Kalighat temple.

Earlier, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and BJP leaders including Sambit Patra had campaigned for

Tibrewal.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Minister of Transport and Housing Firhad Hakim said Mamata Banerjee represents the entire state and Bhawanipur is part of it.

Hitting out at BJP leaders, he said several big shots had campaigned in West Bengal during the state polls in March-April but people reposed their faith in Banerjee.

“The tourists (BJP) leaders would not make any difference this time too,” Hakim added