The Trinamul Congress on Wednesday organised a public meeting at Nityanandapur near Malda in a show of strength at the same place where BJP national president Amit Shah had addressed a gathering last week.

While the BJP had purportedly brought about 1. 5 lakh people to the meeting, Trinamul boasted of the same figure on Wednesday.

“We have proved Trinamul’s popularity in Malda district and we did not have to spend money and bring in people from neighbouring states, like what the BJP had done. Those who are still outside Trinamul should follow Mausam (Noor) as it is clear that the contest will be between Trinamul and the BJP in the coming elections,” said Bengal minister and Trinamul leader Suvendu Adhikari.

Malda North MP Mausam had joined Trinamul on Monday.

Ministers Rabindranath Ghosh, Gautam Deb and Bachchu Hansda, and leaders of Malda district Trinamul, including Mausam, were present at the meeting.

Mausam was greeted with cheers and clappings from thousands of Trinamul supporters when she addressed them.

“Malda has now changed into a Trinamul bastion. I have left the Congress because the Mamata Banerjee government is carrying out development projects in a consistent manner and is standing by distressed people. This is the only party that can stop divisive forces and we have joined hands together. It is unfortunate that state Congress leaders have failed to realise it,” she said.

After civic and rural polls in recent years, it has become clear the BJP is the second force in the district, while the Congress has become the third place.