Modi lambasts 'fake parivartan' in Bengal
Notably, Modi launched a direct attack on TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whom he had praised a few months ago for reviving the fortunes of the stat
Modi said the only contribution of the TMC has been a "fake parivartan (change)". "It has been two years since the new government took charge, but have you seen any parivartan? People have been cheated. If you have a strong and progressive-minded government in Delhi, every small thing will fall in place," Modi said an at an election rally in Siliguri in West Bengal.
Notably, Modi launched a direct attack on TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whom he had praised a few months ago for reviving the fortunes of the state.
"I thought your chief minister would criticise the Left and the Congress. But I find she criticises Modi hundred times a day; without doing it, she can't digest her meals."
Modi also raked up the Saradha scam. "Those who have indulged in loot in such a short span of time... what will they do if they get more time and opportunity?" he asked referring to the alleged involvement of some TMC leaders in the scam.
Modi's campaign speech on Thursday was in sharp contrast to his earlier soft approach towards the TMC. On February 5, during his first campaign rally at Brigade ground in Kolkata, Modi had tried to impress voters with his "Didi in Bengal and BJP in Delhi" slogan.
"You vote for me, you will be benefited in three ways. Mamata will work for you in the state. I will work for you at the Centre. Above me there will be President Pranab Mukherjee, who is also from this land," he had said. Then, he had said it was the Left Front government's "misrule" that crippled the economy of the state.
However, with Banerjee making every effort to distance herself from the party and going all-out against the BJP and its PM candidate, Modi too seems to have decided to hit back now. At Siliguri, Modi also tried to reach out to the Gorkha community, saying: "The dream of Gorkha brothers is our dream."
Bimal Gurung, president of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, which has extended support to the BJP, shared the dais with him. Modi, however, stayed away from making any definitive promise on creating a separate state of Gorkhaland.