TMC, BJP fight over Hindu festival Durga Puja after Mamata announces cash for clubs

After Banerjee made the announcement Tuesday, the saffron party complained to the Election Commission of India (ECI) alleging the Chief Minister, who will face her own election on Sept 30, has violated the Model Code of Conduct in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area.

BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar, one of the saffron leaders who have slammed Banerjee-led government, tweeted, "TMC govt & it's unelected CM Mamata Banerjee is violating model code of conduct by announcing cash donations & other facilities to clubs to influence them in ongoing by election in Bhabanipur constituency. @BJP4Bengal submitted an complaint to Election Commision."

The BJP has also urged the ECI to cancel Banerjee's candidature for the poll in Bhabanipur assembly seat.

Countering the BJP, the TMC has put up a tweet which reads, "The self-proclaimed custodians of Hindu culture & values clearly DO NOT understand Hinduism, forget about respecting Hindu festivals! Now, their scant regard for Maa Durga and the traditions of Bengal stands exposed! This is an act of utter shame."

Some TMC leaders have shared old videos of BJP state president Dilip Ghosh, who was accused by the ruling party of insulting Maa Durga before the 2021 polls.

Banerjee, who is yet to be a lawmaker, was defeated by BJP's Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram by over 1,900 votes.