Mamata claims 2 not 5 died in clashes, says won't let Bengal turn into another Gujarat

Asserting that the Trinamool Congress "will not let West Bengal turn into another Gujarat", Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said two persons were killed during Saturday's clashes and not five as claimed by the BJP, which, she alleged, was trying to incite violence and topple her government by spreading "fake news".

She saw the MHA advisory to West Bengal as part of "games played from behind the scenes" and said the state chief secretary has already replied to it.

"They (BJP) are spending crores of rupees to spread fake news through social media. The central government and (BJP) party cadre are trying to incite violence in the state... we will not let Bengal turn into another Gujarat," a combative Banerjee, who had a war of words with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the general elections, told reporters at the state secretariat.

The chief minister also accused the media of "insulting" the state by disseminating wrong information at the behest of the saffron party, while ruling out advancing the state elections, due in 2021, as being speculated by some.

She further alleged that after winning the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP, with encouragement from some of its Central leaders, was trying to incite violence in Darjeeling and Jangalmahal region of West Bengal as a part of a conspiracy and advised the saffron party "not to play with fire."
Alleging that there were "infiltrations" during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the chief minister said, "If there is any riot or violence in any state, then the central government cannot shrug off its responsibility."