File photo of Mamata Banerjee
A day after her party labelled
Narendra Modi "the butcher of Gujarat,"
Mamata Banerjee made a substantial contribution to the onslaught, describing the BJP's prime ministerial candidate as an "architect of riots" whose "gyan (insight) on development" is not needed in her state. "If he (Modi) comes to power, India will plunge into darkness," said Ms Banerjee, the chief minister of Bengal.
Her party is incensed by remarks made yesterday by Mr Modi at a Bengal rally. He accused her of misgovernance, and suggested a painting by her had been bought for 1.86 crores by a controversial entrepreneur, Sudipta Sen, who has been arrested for allegedly running a giant Ponzi scheme that scammed lakhs of small investors.
The Election Commission has asked today for a copy of Mr Modi's speech. The Trinamool Congress has demanded an apology from Mr Modi for his remarks on the painting, which it rejected as false. (
Mamata's party calls Modi "butcher of Gujarat")
In retaliation to the criticism, Ms Banerjee's party has sought to indict Mr Modi for the communal violence that that ripped through his home state in 2002. (
Modi's hands dripping with blood, says Trinamool in continuing attack) A Supreme Court inquiry has said there is no evidence that Mr Modi, as chief minister, fuelled the riots. A Gujarat court has upheld that report.
"Each time he (Modi) puts up his hand, you know metaphorically, there's blood actually rolling down his hand, the blood of innocent children," said Derek O'Brien of the Trinamool Congress today.
Ms Banerjee clarified weeks ago that she will not ally with the BJP, which, under Mr Modi, is expected to win the most seats in the national election. (
Elections: full coverage)
Earlier today, the BJP's Arun Jaitley said that Ms Banerjee's party must learn to accept criticism, which he said, "doesn't mean that we are their personal enemies or anything." (
BJP hits back after Trinamool calls Modi "butcher of Gujarat")