Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his speech, and the overflowing crowd at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata on Sunday is most likely to give Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress party many sleepless nights in the coming day.
A massive turnout heard Modi launch a front attack on Mamata, personally, politically and on the issue of governance in no uncertain terms.
Modi termed the “keechad” (cesspool) of Mamata administration making it only a logical corollary that Lotus would bloom in the State.
“You’ve pushed Bengal towards separation instead of development, and, thus, the lotus is blooming. You’ve divided people on religious lines, and thus the lotus is blooming,” he said referring to his party’s symbol.
Thank you Kolkata!
Thank you West Bengal.
BJP is the state’s preferred choice. pic.twitter.com/5C9Fzvv5CF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 7, 2021
Modi marked out the corruption which is eating into the vitals of the State.
“Tolabaazi, syndicate, commission cut! You have done so many scams that a ‘Corruption Olympics’ game can be organised. You have played with the hard-earned money of the people and their lives,” he said.
Modi didn’t miss out on the widespread belief that Mamata has turned it into a family rule in Bengal with nepotism being witnessed every day.
“The people of Bengal had chosen you as ‘Didi’, but then why did you remain the aunt of a nephew? The people of Bengal are asking only this one question from you,” he asked, hinting at the alleged stranglehold of Abhishek Banerjee, the Chief Minister’s nephew, over matters in the state.
Violence is an ever-present theme in Bengal and Modi made a pointed reference to the deteriorating law and order conditions.
“You are well aware of the condition of ‘Maa, Manush, Maati’. Mothers are being attacked on streets and in their houses. Recently, the cruelty unleashed on an 80-year-old mother has shown their cruel face to the entire country,” he said.
The prime minister claimed if BJP is brought to power, over the next 25 years the State would once again be leading the rest of the country on the matter of development.
The next 25 years, the PM noted, are very important for development in the state. In 2047, when India will celebrate 100 years of independence, West Bengal will lead the country once again, he promised.
The democratic system had allegedly been destroyed in the state and the BJP, he said, would strengthen it. He also promised to re-establish public faith in government systems, in the police, and the administration.
He later turned to the ruling party’s latest favourite, “Khela hobe”, which means “let’s play”. The PM sought to use the slogan to indicate that the Trinamool’s “game was over” now and asked people to vote for the BJP.
“Bengal trusted Didi for Pariborton. She broke the trust. The dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’ will be fulfilled. Today, I have come here today to assure you of Bengal’s development, to increase investment here, to protect Bengal’s culture and to bring change,”
“I have come here to make you believe in ‘Asol Poribortan’, believe in Bengal’s development, in changing Bengal’s situation, in increasing investment and industries in Bengal, and in the reconstruction of Bengal,” he said.
The Prime Minister also took a dig at Mamata changing her constituency this time from Bhowanipur to Nandigram. “Your (Mamata Banerjee’s) scooty took a turn towards Nandigram instead of going to Bhawanipore. Didi, I wish everyone well and don’t want anyone hurt. But what can I do if the scooty is destined to fall in Nandigram?” he said. The PM was referring to Ms Banerjee’s scooter ride a few days ago in protest against rising fuel prices.
Earlier, PM Modi arrived around 2pm in Kolkata, his first visit to the state after the assembly poll dates were announced last week. This is he first of at least 20 rallies planned for him in the state till the polls are over. He has already visited West Bengal at least three times till now over the past few weeks.
Elections to West Bengal’s 294-seat Assembly are scheduled to be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29 and the results will be declared on May 2.
