New Delhi, Dec 11 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday attributed demonetisation and 'collapse of banking system' as two principal reasons for the defeat of BJP in crucial Hindi heartland states.
"When the money kept in the bank or with them were not safe, people almost lost faith in the system. It was like direct assault on their life itself", Ms Banerjee told reporters in Kolkata as election results showed BJP was heading for defeat in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and facing stiff challenge from Congress in Madhya Pradesh.
"They (BJP government) are silencing the voice of the media and all democratic institutions. There have been occasions when journalists lost their jobs," she said.
"The Chhattisgarh rout is a big defeat, I feel," said Ms Banerjee, whose party is in direct confrontation with the BJP in West Bengal especially after the Panchayat elections in April-May this year.
Trying to drive home the point that the BJP is a weak contender in the southern states, she said therefore the BJP's defeat in Rajasthan is also politically significant.
"Where do they exist really", she said mocking at the saffron party adding "Na acchey Bengal-e na acchey Odisha-tey (They do not exists either in West Bengal or in Odisha as well)".
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