West Bengal panchayat election 2018: Triumphant Mamata Banerjee blasts Opposition

West Bengal panchayat election 2018: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that opposition political parties wanted to postpone the panchayat elections and expressed happiness that their purpose was defeated. "Some opposition leaders are filing cases in courts one after another to postpone the panchayat election. What shall we do - fighting cases in courts or look after administration for the welfare of the people?" she asked.

However, their purpose was defeated by court orders, she added. The Supreme Court yesterday said the panchayat polls will take place on May 14, according to the earlier schedule declared by the State Election Commission. "We want a peaceful Panchayat election, where people can cast their votes without any fear. I appeal to all for cooperation without which it is difficult to maintain law and order," Banerjee said.

Interestingly, major opposition parties such as the BJP, the CPI(M) and the Congress have joined hands to defeat the ruling Trinamool Congress, she said in an interview to a Bengali news channel Zee 24Ghanta. Despite this, the Trinamool supremo expressed confidence that her party would win the polls because of continuous development works by her government. "Our political rivals are busy in attacking our workers, spreading canards against us or filing cases to postpone the entire Panchayat election," she said.

The chief minister also alleged that the BJP has been bringing goons from neighbouring states to foment trouble during the Panchayat poll.