Our first priority is COVID : Mamata
TNN Bureau. Updated: 5/3/2021 11:04:23 AM
National
Kolkata, May 2: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Mamata Banerjee on Sunday reiterated that her first priority is COVID, and she will continue to fight against the pandemic.
Addressing a press conference, the chief minister claimed that she would seek assistance from the Centre and prioritise her efforts to minimise the impact of the second wave.
Ms Banerjee said this win has saved people of Bengal
She urged her party workers to not to celebrate. The swearing-in ceremony would be a small affair in view of the COVID-19 crisis.
She described her party's performance as a "landslide victory" despite the odds stacked up against the Trinamool Congress.
In a close finish, BJP's Suvendu Adhikari has won the Nandigram assembly constituency and defeated TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Mr Adhikari has reportedly won with 1957 votes.
Earlier, reports had suggested that Banerjee was winning the seat by a slim margin of 1,200 votes.
Ms Banerjee has conceded defeat to Adhikari in Nandigram.
She said, “I accept the verdict of people of Nandigram.”
"Don't worry about Nandigram, I struggled for Nandigram because I fought a movement. It's okay. Let the Nandigram people give whatever verdict they want, I accept that. I don't mind. We won more than 221 seats and BJP has lost the election," Ms Banerjee said.
The chief minister said “This is Bengal’s victory”
Speaking to party workers from her Kalighat residence, Ms Banerjee said, “This is Bengal’s victory”.
“All Covid protocols must be maintained. I will address the press after 6 pm. No victory procession for now, a decision on that will be taken later,” she added.
Ms Banerjee, who set to retain her power for the third straight time, told her TMC supporters and party workers to return home and fight Covid-19.
As the latest report of trend was still coming the TMC was leading at 215 seats and BJP at 75 seats.
Altogether election was held to 292 seats in the eight phases.
A political observer said Bengal embraced " Nijer May" and rejected Sonar Bangla slogan by the BJP and " Khela Hobe" scored against the "Khela Shesh"
Two more seats for Shamsherjung and Jangipara in Murshidabad to be held on May 16.