Mamata thanks people for bypoll results, says nobody can divide TMC

Thanking the people for the bypoll results which went in favour of the TMC, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday dismissed any speculation of rift within her party, stating that nobody can divide the TMC.

"Nothing is there. Don't worry. Trinamool Congress Party is a number one strong party in this country and in this world also. Nobody can divide Trinamool Congress and if any persons think they have the prerogative, they can think anything...but the party is intact, it is together, it is a collective family," she told mediapersons here.

"I want to thank the common man. I salute to them. I cannot imagine, it is a miracle result. Last time we won Bongaon by one lakh 46 thousand votes, this time in the by-election there were fifty thousand less votes polled compared to when the elections were held during the General Election," she said.

She also congratulated her party workers for working tirelessly to ensure victory in Krishnaganj Assembly seat and established a substantial lead in Bongaon Lok Sabha constituency where bypolls were held on February 13.

"In Krishnaganj, we have won by 37000 votes and we believe this victory is that of the people of Bengal and a victory of those who love democracy. Our workers have worked hard and we are grateful to them," she added.

Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) she accused it of seeking to tarnish her party's image.

"Our votes have increased. Whatever calculations were shown have been proved wrong. Even after the BJP had spread so many canards against us, still people have shown what they think; no one is more intelligent than them. Just by showing face on television channel is not the only thing; what the people think on grassroots is the main thing," she said.

"Conspiracy is not a big thing, people is the main thing. This has been proved in Delhi and will be proved in Bengal too I believe this will be proved throughout India in coming days," she added.

The by-poll in Bongaon was necessitated by the death of Trinamool MP Kapil Krishna Thakur. The Krishnaganj seat in the Nadia district had become vacant due to the death of Trinamool lawmaker Sushil Biswas.

In the by-elections, the TMC has won the Lok Sabha constituency of Bongaon, as well as the Krishanganj assembly seat.