KMC polls: Mamata thanks administration, says 'police is man of the match'

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday thanked the administration for peaceful conduct of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections and expressed her gratitude to the people for turning out in large numbers to exercise their voting rights.

"Let me first say that today the police is the man of the match. Today, the administration has worked very well. I have not seen such peaceful elections ever. For this, I am thankful to the Kolkata Police and also grateful to the common people for coming out in large numbers to exercise their right to vote," Banerjee said.

"Elections were held in 144 wards and small sporadic events were reported from four to five places. After the elections, a scuffle took place. During that incident, sub-inspector Jagannath Mondal was injured...... I thank God that he is stable now," she added.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) earlier said the polling was conducted 'peacefully' and also alleged the opposition of suffering from an illness called 'excusitis'.

TMC spokesperson Derek O'Brien rubbished the opposition's call for re- polls.

"We want to thank the people of Bengal for voting peacefully. Out of thousands of booth, one or two minor incidents might have happened, but by and large it was a very peaceful poll," said O'Brien.

"For the opposition, they know that they are going to lose. So, they are all suffering from an illness and this illness in Bengal is called 'excusitis'. In other words, they only want to make excuses, excuses, excuses," he added.

Expressing confidence about his party's spectacular show in the KMC election, O'Brien said the people of the state trust Mamata Banerjee and the TMC.

"Trinamool will do very well, we are confident because people want to see development, they don't want to hear big talk. The people trust Mamta Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress," he said.

Earlier today, a TMC worker reportedly threatened and attacked the mediapersons in Garden Reach area during the voting for the KMC election.