Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday pitted BJP’s “politics of development” against Trinamool’s “model of corruption and violence” and urged Bengal voters to help him usher “ashol paribartan (real change)”. Addressing a massive rally at the Brigade Parade Ground, PM Modi sought to turn TMC’s “Khela hobe (Let’s play)” dare on its head, reminding the crowd of all the “khel (games) - from corruption to tolabaazi (extortion) - that Trinamool played with Bengal for the last 10 years”.
“You (Trinamool) are experienced players. What games have you not played? You have looted Bengal’s poor, looting even cyclone relief sent by the Centre. There is an Olympic Games-level of corruption in Bengal,” he said. But the games should end now. An end to these games will mean the start of development. The lotus is blooming in Bengal because of the mountain of rubbish that Trinamool has created.”
The PM tried to establish a direct line with Bengal’s voters, stressing how the state could gain out of this “dosti (friendship)” and turn the clock back to “again lead the country when India would celebrate the centenary of its independence in 2047”. A BJP government would not only mean a change of parties, but also result in a Bengal “where youth have education and employment and are not forced to flee the state”, Modi said, adding that a “double-engine BJP government at both the Centre and in Bengal” would usher growth of industry and commerce, investment and 21st Century infrastructure. He held out hope for a state where every section - "from Adivasis to refugees" - would be equal partners in development. "A BJP government will mean appeasement for none," he said.
"So much has been snatched away from Bengal in the 75 years since India’s independence. We will return everything that has been snatched away," PM Modi promised. He said five years of development with a BJP government in office could lay the foundation for the next 25 years of progress. “There is no reason why Kolkata cannot become the city of the future.” Meanwhile, actor Mithun Chakraborty felicitated PM Modi at the Kolkata rally after joining BJP.
Didi hits back at Modi
The only “syndicate” in India is that of PM Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, Mamata Banerjee said in response to accusations by both that Trinamool Congress has institutionalised “syndicates” in the state. Equating the upcoming assembly elections with a “battle for survival”, Mamata exhorted a large gathering in north Bengal’s Siliguri to help her win the fight. “If you can’t ensure that [survival], Modi will divide and take pieces of Bengal away,” she warned.
Mamata dared the PM to have a debate with her one on-one at a time and place of his choosing. "The PM lies. It’s a behaviour that does not behove the PM’s chair. Give me a date and time. Tell me when I will come for a debate. Khela hobe (the match is on). People will be the judges.”
On PM Modi’s allegation that 10 years under TMC had turned Bengal into a land of “tolabaazi (extortion)” and “syndicates”, Mamata said the “Narendra Modi-Amit Shah syndicate does not even listen to BJP”. “Prime Minister, you never come to Bengal for work. You come here to spread canards and lies,” she said. “You can come for your political compulsions. You came today, too (to Kolkata). But before campaigning, explain why the price of an LPG cylinder is nearly Rs 900. Why are kitchens on fire? Why are petrol and diesel prices rising daily? Bengal gives free rice. But one needs to buy gas for Rs 900 to even boil it.”
She also countered PM Modi on his claim that Bengal would see “ashol paribartan (real change)” after the polls. “Change will come in Delhi. You will have to leave then,” she said. “The four states and one UT (going to polls) will hit BJP for a six. You will lose everywhere. You talk of Sonar Bangla after selling Delhi. After selling off the Red Fort, Indian Railways, BSNL, Coal India, Air India, the only thing left is to replace India’s name with your name. You are the biggest tolabaaz. Poor people may perhaps get Rs 5 or Rs 100 if they engage in tolabaazi. What happens when you do it? SAIL was sold for how much? Rail, how much?”
