Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took part in a spectacular roadshow in north Kolkata as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified its campaign
ahead of the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly polls. In a striking show of support, women across age groups and social backgrounds lined the streets of Kolkata in large numbers during the Prime Minister’s roadshow. The roadshow took place amid chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', 'Jai Shri Ram' and the BJP's West Bengal poll slogan 'Paltano darkar, tai BJP sarkar' (Need a BJP government to bring about change). PM Modi sharpened his attack on the ruling TMC in West Bengal, accusing it of fostering a culture of lawlessness, failing to protect women and relying on criminal elements to run the administration, while promising sweeping changes if the BJP comes to power after the assembly elections. Addressing rallies in North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts on the penultimate day of campaigning for the state polls, Modi focused on the issue of women's security in the state, maintaining that the BJP's decision to field Sandeshkhali's Rekha Patra from Hingalganj and Ratna Debnath, mother of RG Kar rape and murder victim, from Panihati reflected "the party's commitment to justice and safety for women". He alleged that the TMC government in Bengal is not run from the state secretariat but by "party-sheltered criminals", and added that the Mamata Banerjee-led party's "dependence on anti-social elements in ruling the state" often forces the Calcutta High Court or the Supreme Court to intervene and bring the administration back on track. Coining an obvious antonym of Mamata Banerjee's name, the PM described the ruling dispensation as a "nirmam sarkar" (cruel government) that thrives on fear and intimidation PM Modi, referring to the record turnout of over 93 per cent in the first phase of polls, said, "The TMC's arrogance was shattered in the first round, and the second phase will cement the BJP's victory in the state." Maintaining that the TMC was "rattled by the high turnout", he urged voters to further increase participation in the second phase, projecting it as a sign of growing public support for the BJP and a rejection of what he termed a rule marked by corruption, unemployment and fear. (With PTI inputs)
