During the final stretch of her campaigning in Nandigram, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee played the “gotra” trick, declaring herself a “Shandilya.” Members of the BJP and AIMIM have now attacked Mamata Banerjee, claiming that she is speaking out of desperation.

Mamata Banerjee signed off on the final campaign in Nandigram, where she is pitted against her former confidante Suvendu Adhikari in a high-voltage drama, by claiming that her gotra is ‘Shandilya.’

“I went to a temple and the priest wondered about my ‘gotra.’ Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday, “I told him – Maa Maati Manush, but actually, I’m Shandilya.”

In response to Mamata Didi’s remark about her “gotra,” BJP leader Giriraj Singh said, “Mamata Didi has told her gotra out of fear of losing elections.” Didi, please tell me whether Shandilya is also the Rohingya and infiltrators’ gotra. She’s terrified now, which is why she threatens BJP staff like Suvendu and uses her gotra on occasion.”

“What could happen to people like me who aren’t Shandilya or Janeudhari, who aren’t bhakts of some gods, who don’t recite Chalisa or any Path?” said AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. Any political party believes that in order to win, it must demonstrate its Hindu credentials. Untrustworthy, demeaning, and impossible to succeed.”

Despite a leg injury sustained earlier this month, Mamata Banerjee ended her personal election campaign in style this evening, standing on the dais as the national anthem played.

Mamata signaled her trusted lieutenants Subrata Bakshi and Dola Sen to come to her side just before the anthem began. With their support, the West Bengal chief minister rose to her feet and joined in the singing.

In the second of an eight-phase Bengal election that ends on April 29, Nandigram and 29 other constituencies will run. The first round, which included 30 seats, was held on March 27.