BJP cannot repeat it's 2014 poll performance: Mamata

Accusing the BJP government at the Centre of "showing audacity and arrogance", West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Friday it has failed in all respects and will be defeated in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

At a programme of a Bengali TV news channel, she charged the BJP with bringing in "militant Hinduism" and claimed many people had been lynched.

"The BJP had secured only 31 per cent votes and won 283 seats (in the 2014 general election). It cannot be repeated. They have failed in all respects and cannot survive (in the 2019 Lok Sabha poll)," she said.

"We (TMC) want to see the country united. We don't support militant Hinduism," said Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress chief and a strong critic of the BJP.

She said in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, regional parties would play a crucial role and the issue of who will be the prime minister can be decided later.

"The 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be a people's referendum. The people will say no to BJP and yes to other parties. A message has reached the common people who are the worst sufferers. They want a change. No one will think twice.

"They will throw out the BJP government. Then the question who will be the prime minister will rise. It will be a collective leadership," she said.

Referring to the regional parties, she said they were becoming stronger every passing day.

"The situation has changed now. Maximum regional parties are working together just like a family."