The West Bengal Chief Minister and supremo of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Mamata Banerjee, who arrived Agartala on Monday on a two-day visit for election campaign, said TMC continue to stand by the people of the state, despite the attacks on their supporters and leaders.

Mamata Banerjee along with nephew and TMC’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee arrived at Agartala airport on Monday evening and soon after arrival, she left the city towards Udaipur to offer her prayer at the Mata Tripura Sundari temple.

Speaking with media persons at the outside of Airport Mamata Banerjee said  they have  come here to say that the TMC stood by people of the state,  when there was no one else amid the torture inflicted by the BJP. ‘Our people were also attacked and vehicles vandalised. Even senior leaders such as Kakali Ghosh Dastidar, Dola Sen and Sushmita Dev were not spared," said Mamata. She also said that  Tripura is  her "second home".

"I had extensively worked with Tripura leaders like Santosh Mohan Dev and Manoranjan Bhakta when the Congress stormed back to power in the state (in 1988). I know the Northeastern state across its length and breadth from Sonamura to Kailashahar," said the WB Chief Minister.

The most enjoyable thing about this place is that I can speak in my own language. People of Tripura have a close connection with Bengal- be it food habits, clothing choices or lifestyles, said Mamata and added that she will be heading for Tripureswari temple from the airport to offer prayers.

While speaking with media persons outside of the Tripura Sundari temple, Mamata said, “I offered puja to ensure the welfare of our Maa-Maati-Maanush. Whenever I visit Tripura, I come to this temple and visit several places of religious importance as I respect all religions.”

She also said that she  will not do any political programme on Monday, but hold a rally on Tuesday

On Tuesday morning, TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are scheduled to hold a rally in the Agartala city from Rabindra Bhavan  at 11 am, following which a street corner at Rabindra Bhavan along with senior TMC leaders and members of the Tripura Pradesh Trinamool Congress.

During her visit to the temple, TMC state president Pijush Kanti Biswas, party MP Sushmita Dev and senior leader Rajib Banerjee  were also present.