Mamata charges CPI(M), Cong, BJP with conspiracy to stall poll

As uncertainty clouds the holding of panchayat poll in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the CPI(M), Congress and BJP of 'conspiring' to stall the poll process.

"These parties are afraid of defeat in the panchayat election and do not want it to be held. The CPI(M), Congress and BJP have joined hands in the conspiracy to stall the panchayat polls, the process of which has already started," Banerjee said at her first campaign rally in Jangalmahal.

Pointing out that the entire poll process is to be over by July 15, she said district magistrates and sub-divisional officers will run the rural body administration till elections are held.

Expressing dismay at the turn of events, the Trinamool Congress supremo said, "We have been trying for the past two years to ensure that panchayat polls are held, while they (Opposition) are at their work to thwart the process."

Asserting that TMC is sure to win the election, she said, "The reason why Opposition parties are averse to the polls is their fear of losing the political footing."

"While I am out on my campaign trail, CPI(M) and Congress are nowhere to be found. They are spending money filing cases," she alleged.

"I have heard that the term of some elected panchayats had already expired yesterday," Banerjee said adding the blame would squarely lie with Opposition parties if the polls were eventually not held on the scheduled dates.