Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused a section of Opposition leaders of trying to ridicule her for the injuries she had suffered while alighting from her helicopter after its emergency landing near Siliguri on June 27.

“Those who always make tall statements during elections even tried to malign me when I could have died in the helicopter accident. I want justice (about the attempt to malign her) from the people of my state. The helicopter could have crashed if it did not land within 30 seconds (of facing inclement weather) and I had a close shave following your blessings and wishes,” Mamata said while addressing a rally in Birbhum over the phone from her Calcutta residence.

Mamata said she would need at least a week to recover from the injuries.

Although Mamata attacked the Opposition, she did not take the name of any leader or political party.

“Opposition leaders officially wished her speedy recovery but many of them raised questions about the timing of her injuries. I think Didi (Mamata) was pointing the finger at those Opposition leaders,” said a Trinamul leader.

Speaking to voters in Birbhum, she said so far, it had not been possible for her to be physically present in such rallies.

“I am better but have pain in my hips and legs, and that is why I am undergoing therapies for four hours a day.... So, I can’t meet you physically before this rural polls but my heart always wants to meet you,” Mamata said.

Opposition party leaders, however, rejected Mamata’s claim that they had tried to malign and ridicule her.

“I am not sure whom she meant by the Opposition. We cannot speak on behalf ofher friends in the Congress or the CPM. We have never spoken ill of her situation.All we had said was that it was not safe that the chief minister is hurting her leg everytime. We wish her all the luck and good health,” said BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya.

“We wish her a long life. But she must stop lying,” said CPM leader Samik Lahiri.