Mamata Banerjee Alleges Trinamool MLAs Face Threats, Intimidation from Police and BJP

Introduction

**Mamata Banerjee**, the chairperson of the **Trinamool Congress**, has alleged that her party's MLAs are facing threats and intimidation from the police and the **BJP**.

This comes after only a quarter of the party's MLAs attended a meeting at her residence, prompting the party to call off the meeting.

The **Trinamool Congress** has 80 MLAs in the House, but only 20 showed up for the meeting.

Allegations of Threats and Intimidation

Ms. Banerjee claimed that at least four of her MLAs have faced threats from the police, with some being told they would be slapped with fake cases under the **Arms Act** and other laws.

She questioned whether this was how democracy functioned, and alleged that the police were making calls to her MLAs, asking them to break away from the party.

The first call comes from the police, the second from the **BJP** office, she said.

BJP's Response

**BJP Minister Agnimitra Paul** responded to Ms. Banerjee's allegations, saying that if the **Trinamool** had any ideological base, it would have survived.

She claimed that the **Trinamool**'s ideologies only included syndicates, cut money, bribes, and taking advantage of people.

This, she said, was why the **Trinamool** MLAs did not show up for the meeting, indicating a lack of faith in Ms. Banerjee.

Democracy and Freedom

Ms. Banerjee's allegations have raised questions about the state of democracy and freedom in the country.

She claimed that many of her party leaders were not speaking out due to fear, and were being pressured to break away from the party.

The **Trinamool** was also supposed to hold a protest in **Kolkata** on Tuesday, but Ms. Banerjee said they were not given permission by the police.

Electoral Malpractices

Ms. Banerjee also alleged that the **BJP** had won at least 177 seats by rigging and electoral malpractices.

She claimed that the **BJP**'s victory was not a legitimate one, and that her party would come back stronger and build the party from the ground up again if needed.

Offering money or sending threats to their leaders would not help, she said.