Mamata Banerjee warns against riots ahead of Ram Navami, Lok Sabha polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday warned against violence in the state ahead of Lok Sabha polls and Ram Navami. During her campaign in North Bengal's Alipurduar, Mamata Banerjee warned that if there is any kind of violence, strict action will be taken by the police.

"I ask everyone, don't do danga (riots) and don't let anyone incite danga. There is an Annapurna Puja on April 15 and Ram Navami on April 17. I don't disrespect Ram but don't do riots. Don't try to create violence during the polls as well," she said.

Notably, several places in Bengal's Howrah, North Dinajpur and Hooghly districts witnessed violence and arson during the Ram Navami procession in March last year.

So far, 27 arrests have been made in the Ram Navami violence case from last year.

"We will take strict action against those who cause violence. BJP leaders said they would arrest each and every person. We can also arrest them," Mamata Banerjee said during her rally in Alipurduar.

The Trinamool Congress supremo also spoke against the Citizenship Amendment Act and said, "Why are the people who supported CAA not applying for it? When you register yourself for CAA, you will become a foreigner. You will not be able to cast your vote either. There are riots for CAA and NRC in Assam."

Reiterating her stance against the implementation of CAA in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee said, "We will not support CAA and NRC. I will not allow it. You are all citizens of Bengal and India. You all cast your vote, you chose ministers and administrators. Then how can we apply this? This will not be allowed in Bengal."

Mamata Banerjee also attacked former High Court justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who recently joined the BJP.

"BJP manages the court as well. Now see, a former justice is now a candidate for BJP. I have now fielded a young candidate against him. Now see what happens. He will now lose the poll. He has looted others' jobs by giving his verdict now common people will take your job away after elections," Mamata Banerjee said.

Abhijit Gangopadhyay is BJP's candidate from Bengal's Tamluk Lok Sabha constituency.