Mamata to start electioneering from April 4

Talking to mediapersons at the Kolkata airport, Mamata said: "I will start poll campaigning from April 4 and will continue it till May 17. I will address nearly 100 rallies. I will also address rallies in Assam.”

The TMC supremo said she will visit Cooch Behar on April 4 and Assam the following day to address election rallies.

Coming down heavily in reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of DRDO’s recent space achievement, Ms Banerjee alleged that the BJP government has taken over all premier institutions in the country.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted Mission Shakti on March, an anti-satellite missile test, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island launch complex. One of India’s existing satellites operating in lower orbit used in the mission.

The test was successful on all parameters. India has made it clear that its space capabilities aren’t directed against anyone and the government is committed to safeguarding the country’s national security interest.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite while addressing the nation.

Mr Modi, however, reiterated that India's action was not directed against any country.

"Shooting down a low earth orbit satellite is a rare achievement for the country," Mr Modi had told the nation. The satellite was orbiting at an altitude of 300 km, Mr Modi had said describing India's space power capability.

The TMC supremo claimed that the people’s liberty was at stake under the BJP’s rule. An "atmosphere of fear” was prevailing in the country.

She said the BJP government has taken control of all premier institutions in the country.

"People here live in fear. They do not have the right to speak freely under an autocratic government," she said.

Earlier, Ms Banerjee said: "The Prime Minister’s penchant for mindless self-promotion through limitless drama and publicity-mongering came to the fore once again today when he announced India’s successful launch of an anti-satellite missile (ASAT)."

She strongly criticised this announcement through Twitter, saying,"This launch was the culmination of a long-term project involving Indian space scientists, and so the prime minister had no moral authority to take credit for it."

“Rather, credit should be reserved solely for the scientists and researchers who have been involved in this project," she added.

"There should have been no great urgency in conducting and announcing the mission now by a government which has past its expiry date. It seems a desperate oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat," the TMC supremo maintained.