“Bhrashtachaar (Corruption)… Aar Noi… Tolabaaji (Extortion)… Aar Noi… Cut Money …Aar Noi… Violence… Aar Noi… Anyay (Injustice)… Aur Noi…” Prime Minister Narendra Modi roared from Kolkata’s iconic Brigade Parade ground on Sunday, attended by lakhs of BJP lovers. In his first massive public rally in West Bengal after the Election Commission announced dates for the eight-phased poll in the state beginning late this month, the Prime Minister took to writing the TMC government’s epitaph. The energy, vibes and aura of Sunday’s Brigade Parade ground rally were similar to those of Modi’s rallies prior to the 2014 election campaign.
Perhaps the resentment against ruling establishments both before 2014 and now in Bengal is what made the difference. In West Bengal, there is a massive overcurrent against the Mamata Banerjee-led government, which the Prime Minister accused of working at the behest of syndicates. Over a speech spanning close to 70 minutes, PM Modi launched an unprecedented offensive against Mamata Banerjee and her TMC, which has turned the fate of Bengal upside down. The BJP, led by PM Modi, is therefore making a point to stress their ‘Sonar Bangla’ pitch.
“I wish to tell TMC govt that I will keep working for my crores of poor friends. Will friendship work or Tolabaaji? Your energy has made Didi and her friends lose their sleep. That is why they keep saying ‘Is Baar Khela Hobe‘. Truly, these people are experienced and know how to play. What ”Khel” have you left? Now listen to the roar emerging from all sides, ‘TMC ka Khela Shesh. Khela Khatom‘,” the Prime Minister said.
“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 added.
The Prime Minister also made it a point to unsparingly attack the TMC for its failure towards its own slogan of Ma, Mati, Manush. “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.
“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 added.
The BJP is confident of winning Nandigram and emerging triumphant in the whole of West Bengal. Interestingly, Prime Minister Modi made no secret of the fact that he was convinced the BJP was most definitely going to form the government in Bengal come May 2. He made many subtle indications to the same end. From declaring that the TMC’s days were numbered, to taking the scooty-jibe on Mamata Banerjee, PM Modi did it all.
“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?”
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The Prime Minister also remarked that Mamata Banerjee was being remote-controlled by someone and that she was not the Didi he came to know in the prime of her political career. “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 said, hinting at the stranglehold of Abhishek Banerjee, over matters in the state and within the TMC.
Mamata Banerjee has been relentlessly calling the BJP a party of ‘outsiders’, and raking the sub-nationalist card to convey to the people of Bengal that they must resist the power-grabbing techniques of the ‘Gujaratis’. On being called an outsider by Mamata, the Prime Minister said, “We are outsiders, they say, are the founders of Congress’, not outsiders? Are Marx, Lenin, Mao not outsiders? But our leader was Syama Prasad Mookerjee so Bengal is in BJP’s DNA. We are indebted to Bengal.”
While concluding his fiery speech, PM Modi reminded many of his 2014 campaigns, as the energy levels and dedication matched and even exceeded those seen while campaigning for the ousting of the UPA government at the Centre. “Ashol Parivartan… Ae Baar …….Chaakri… Ae Baar … Mahila Surakhha… Ae Baar …. Krushakh surakkha… Ae Baar …… Vikaas… Ae baar … Sushasan… Ae baar … Sonar Bangla… Ae baar… BJP… Ae baar (Real progress… Jobs…Women safety… Farmers’ safety…. Good governance… Progress… Golden Bengal… BJP),” the Prime Minister roared.