Kolkata: The BJP on Sunday made its mega push to wrest power in West Bengal with the Prime Minister calling for genuine transition in a state where the Lotus party has made considerable ground in recent times.
“TMC ka khela shesh, khela khatam….Trinamool game is all over,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the historic rally at Kolkata’s famous and spacious Brigade ground.
Speaking minutes before the Prime Minister, BJP’s candidate from Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari said, “People of Bengal do not consider Mamata their ‘meye (daughter), instead you are ‘khala’ (aunt) of Rohingyas”.
Modi gave a clarion call for ‘ashol (genuine) Poriborton’ — taking a leaf from Mamata Banerjee-led party’s slogan for 2011 when Trinamool had sought to bring about the socio-political transition and take out West Bengal from the stranglehold of communists’ role.
The Prime Minister said people of Bengal want “unnati and shanti” – development and peace.
He also pointed out that a decade back, the people of Bengal had shown faith in Didi, “but Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress have betrayed people”.
“The people now want Sonar Bangla; people have come here (for the rally) to bring real change in Bengal,” the Prime Minister said.
Exuding confidence that the large turnout – billed in terms of about 10 lakhs if not more – had come to spell political death-knell for Trinamool Congress, Modi said, “many could mistake today with May 2 (the day when votes would be finally counted for eight-round of mega polls)”.
Modi said that he never saw such a huge turnout in a political rally ever in life. He said that his visit was targeted to reassure the people of Bengal that the BJP would work towards a better tomorrow for the state and its people.
“The coming five years are going to be crucial for West Bengal to prepare the development blueprint for the next 25 years. Bengal should have its uniqueness by 2047. We all need to work hard towards that direction,” Modi said adding, Bengal needs a double-engine government to capitalise on the growth momentum.
“Let me assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to develop Bengal. We want a Bengal where there is enough opportunities for education and employment so that people do not have to migrate outside. Ashol Poriborton – real change means 21st century infrastructure, more investment, comprehensive growth and more economic power to poor people,” he said.
“When India celebrates 100 years of its independence in 2047, Bengal should get back its earlier rhythm and position and lead the country forward,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that there would be no appeasement politics in the state once BJP comes to power. The party will not entertain illegal immigrants, he said.
The rally on Sunday had a political significance of its own as noted film star Mithun Chakraborty joined the BJP on stage minutes before Modi came for the rally.
“My campaign will start from March 12…,” Mithun said later though speculation still remained on whether he would contest the polls himself.
Earlier speaking at the rally, BJP’s candidate for prestigious Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari accused Trinamool leadership trying to hatch a conspiracy with Left, Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF).
Suvendu said, Mamata Banerjee-led party is trying to give a middleman – power broker space and importance to ISF and was planning to make Abbas Siddiqui of ISF the deputy Chief Minister.
“If by any chance, Trinamool returns to power, West Bengal may turn into Kashmir (due to Mamata’s appeasement politics) and all of us would become like Kashmiri pandits and rendered homeless,” Suvendu cautioned voters.
