BJP supporters, wearing masks of PM Narendra Modi, raise slogans as they are on their way to attend his election campaign rally, in Kolkata. (Image: PTI)<doc-sep>The crowd at Narendra Modi's rally at Kolkata must have the BJP mighty pleased as its strength matched that of public rallies held by former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu, or even the incumbent, Mamata Banerjee. The crowd at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Kolkata's historical Brigade Maidan on Wednesday must have warmed the cockles of the BJP's heart as its strength matched that of public rallies held by former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu, or even the incumbent, Mamata Banerjee. This is unprecedented for a state that has for long steered clear of the ideology that forms the core of the saffron front. What does the crowd at Modi's Kolkata rally indicate? Did most of the people turn out to "see and hear" the prime minister, or is there an underlying message that analysts will have to take into account when discussing the political atmosphere in West Bengal? Is the BJP really gaining ground in a state where it currently has minuscule influence and faces ideological resistance from the masses? At present, the party has only two MPs from West Bengal and is aiming for 22 in this Lok Sabha election. The highly populous state sends 42 members to the Lower House. Commenting on Modi's rally in Kolkata, Anirban Ganguly, director of New Delhi-based think tank Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, said: "Modi was certainly a major attraction because of which Brigade Maidan saw such a huge gathering. But it's also an expression of the frustration of the people of Bengal against the oppressive politics of Mamata Banerjee, the existing extortion racket and syndicate and against the 'pishi-bhaipo' (aunt-nephew) government that does not believe in our Constitutional framework." At his campaign rally, Modi also made an aunt-nephew jibe, referring Mamata and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. He appealed to the gathering to end the "dynastic politics" of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Bengal. If the crowd turned up at Modi's Kolkata rally not merely to catch a glimpse of the country's prime minister but, in fact, for its interest in the BJP, then the party may have finally found a foot inside the Bengal door that it so badly needs. The saffron front is clearly beginning to spread its wings in the eastern state. If it was at the expense of the Left initially, the TMC may now be contributing towards this. In 2011, Mamata had issued a clarion call of "Paribartan Chai" (we want change) with the support of the West Bengal intelligentsia to topple the Left government from the state after its 34-year rule. The Bengal intelligentsia, comprising eminent writers, painters, theatre personalities and academicians, lent their support to the TMC, but many of them later withdrew their backing due to "ideological differences". So what did lead to the BJP's rise in West Bengal? The party's biggest weapon is Mamata's appeasement policy. This apparently earned her undivided support from Bengal's Muslim community, which constitutes 27 percent of the population. Her blatant attempts to appease minority communities with freebies, such as scholarships and stipends, clubbed with the deteriorating law and order situation in the state forced the largely secular urban Bengali voter to reconsider their unstinted support to the TMC. Furthermore, Bengal has become a fertile ground for overt Hindutva groups to take root in its soil because of the unchecked cross-border infiltration that has occurred over the decades. Over the years, illegal migration of people from Bangladesh has disturbed the homogeneity of the population in border districts, causing a demographic imbalance and giving rise to social problems. "The people of Bengal are visibly angry over this appeasement policy. The Left Front government had initiated it, and now, the TMC has taken it to another level. Towns and villages in the border districts of West Bengal, which have a large Muslim population, are facing the heat of this policy," said a Kolkata-based functionary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. "Whether it's a Durga Puja procession or Saraswati Puja, Hindus are living in fear. They can't blow a conch or hold processions as they used to earlier. A large number of Bengali Muslims from across the border have also occupied space, and the original settlers, comprising both Hindus and Muslims who lived together for decades, are being cornered. This is a major cause of anger," the RSS worker told Firstpost. Besides, the BJP always had the support of a pocket of the trader community, but now, there is growing support from a new middle-class Bengali. It seems that the BJP president Amit Shah's tagline "Ebar Bangla" (this time, Bengal) has slowly, but steadily, gained ground. RSS workers have backed his campaign at the grassroots. LOK SABHA ELECTION 2019 CAMPAIGNS: CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES Although many in West Bengal consider Shah's target for the BJP to win 22 of Bengal's 42 parliamentary seats a hyperbole, the party has surely made its presence felt across the state ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Moreover, there is little doubt that Mamata nowadays views the BJP as a greater political threat than either the Congress, which has 42 seats in the Assembly against the TMC's 213 in the 295-member House, or the Left, which has 32. The BJP, in contrast, has three. The rise in the BJP's vote share from 6.2 percent in the 2009 Lok Sabha election to 16.8 percent in 2014 motivated the saffron party. Also, BJP’s resounding victory in the elections in the North East conclusively broke one of the most resistant stereotypes — that of the party being a "Hindi heartland" unit — especially after wresting power from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which ruled Tripura for 25 years. "By winning Tripura, the BJP made the impossible feat possible… Now, we have to end the bomb-and-gun culture of the TMC in Bengal," Modi said at his Kolkata rally. What clearly has the Bengal chief minister worried is the jump in the BJP's vote share from three per cent in 2013 to 23 percent in a by-election this year, where it secured second place, relegating the Congress-Left combine to the third spot.<doc-sep>PM Narendra Modi addressed two ralies in Bengal today -- one in Siliguri, the other in Kolkata. Highlights PM was addressing a rally in Kolkata's historic Brigade Parade Ground He accused Congress and Trinamool of questioning the armed forces The Congress, PM Modi said, wants the army's security cover removed On the home turf of Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today tarred both her and the Congress with the same brush, accusing them of questioning the armed forces and not caring about national security. "Who is asking for proof of air strikes? Who was casting aspersions on air strikes and disappointing the army? 'Show us the bodies of terrorists' - who asked this?" the Prime Minister said at a rally in Kolkata's historic Brigade Parade Ground. Since the terror strike at Pulwama and the subsequent air strikes on the Jaish-e Mohammad terror camp at Pakistan's Balakot, the BJP has been targeting opposition parties, especially the Congress, over the issue of national security. The provocation came as days after the air strikes, more than 20 opposition parties met and signed a memorandum, accusing the government of trying to take credit for the achievements of the Air Force. The Bengal Chief Minister was among those who asked pointed questions regarding the strikes in terms of casualty. Calling Congress Trinamool's "elder" party, the Prime Minister accused it of "toying" with the country's security. Since yesterday, the Congress has been facing BJP attacks over its promise to amend the controversial AFSPA (Armed Forces' Special Powers Act). The Congress, PM Modi said, wants the army's security cover removed. "The law protecting them will be repealed. The Congress is promising something that would help terrorists in Pakistan," he said. The Congress manifesto, PM Modi said, comes with an expiry date: May 23, the day the results of the national elections are expected. From a rally in Cooch Behar, Mamata Banerjee issued a scathing reply. "We are nationalists, not fascists," said the Chief Minister, who, sources indicated, had tweaked her schedule to have the last word today. "I am not Modi, I don't tell lies," said Mr Banerjee, claiming the Prime Minister has made false claims on the performance of her government in Bengal.<doc-sep>Every morning till the elections, The Wire‘s reporters and editors bring you Poll Vault – a summary of the most important political developments, all in one place. To get it straight in your mailbox, sign up here. New Delhi: Aiming the battle at Mamata Banerjee, one of his sharpest critics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick-started the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign in West Bengal – a state where the party currently has two seats and has set a target of winning 23 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Referring to Banerjee, Modi said, “There is a speed breaker in West Bengal, who you know by the name of ‘Didi’. This Didi is the speed breaker of your development. I am waiting for this speed breaker to go so development can gather speed.” Explaining his speed breaker analogy, Modi criticised the West Bengal state government for pulling out of his flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat. He also accused the state government of having deliberately stopped the benefits of the new PM Kisan scheme from reaching farmers in the state. From development, Modi was quick to revert to what seems to be BJP’s main campaign plank – national security. Referring to the questions posed on the Balakot airstrike, Modi said, “Today some people in their hate for Modi have started speaking against India. Who raised doubts on airstrike? Who demoralised the armed forces? Who had asked for count of bodies of terrorists?” He also criticised the Congress manifesto released on Monday, which has promised to review the application of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). “Removing this will actually help Pakistan. The Congress has always bowed down to terrorism,” he said. Mamata, Rahul respond to Modi Mamata Banerjee, who had changed her campaign schedule to allow her an opportunity to respond to Modi, responded by calling him ‘expiry babu’ and challenging Modi to a ‘direct debate’. “The income of farmers in Bengal has increased three times under the TMC rule. I am not Modi, I don’t tell lies,” she said. Rahul Gandhi addressed three public meetings in the northeast – one in Nagaland and two in Assam. He accused Modi of making false promises. “Five years ago, Modi made different promises in each of his public meetings. Do you remember he promised to put Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s bank accounts? Did you get any amount transferred to your account?” he said. He also provided a rhetorical road map for raising finances for his party’s ambitious election promise of ensuring that each family has a guaranteed minimum income of Rs 72,000 per year. “For those who ask us from where will we get the money to implement the scheme, let me tell you that the amounts would come from pockets of people like Anil Ambani who made Rs 30,000 crore of Indian Air Force money,” said Gandhi. Gandhi also criticised the Centre’s proposed citizenship amendment Bill, which is a major bone of contention in the northeastern states. “Citizenship Amendment Bill is an attack on your language, thought and independence. Congress will not let it pass in parliament,” he said. Also read: Mamata Banerjee and the Arithmetic Behind the Opposition Alliance Meanwhile, a few hours before Modi was to address a rally in Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 1.8 crore was recovered from the car of former BJP MLA in the state. Sources have claimed that the money “came for candidates who got a BJP ticket” and was allegedly brought there by the state chief minister, Pema Khandu. The Congress alleged that the money was meant to bribe those attending Modi’s rally. Complaints against NaMo TV The Election Commission, on Wednesday, took cognisance of several complaints against NaMo Tv which was launched during the imposition of the model code of conduct and telecasts all of Modi’s speeches live. It sought a response from the information and broadcasting ministry. The ministry responded saying that NaMo TV is not a licensed channel but an advertising platform. The expense for the ‘advertisements’ is born by the BJP. Candidates announced As polling dates approach, several parties declared candidates. Sitting MP Kirit Somaiya has not been retained by the BJP for the Mumbai north east constituency. Somaiya is one of BJP’s most prominent leaders of the BJP in Maharashtra. But his candidature was opposed by BJP ally Shiv Sena. Somaiya had made personal attacks against Uddhav Thackery during the period when the relations between the allies blew hot and cold. Also read: Why BJP’s Identity Politics in Bengal’s Bongaon Will Likely Fall Flat The BJP named Bhojpuri actor Dinesh Lal Yadav as its candidate to contest from Azamgarh, where Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party is a candidate.<doc-sep>
Lok Sabha polls 2019: PM Narendra Modi attacks Mamata, says ‘Didi a speedbreaker in West Bengal's development' KOLKATA/DINHATA: Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday went for each other's jugular in battleground West Bengal, with the prime minister castigating "speedbreaker Didi" for stalling the state's development and the TMC chief hitting back warning he will face a "voter strike".Modi, who kicked off his Lok Sabha campaign in West Bengal with back to back rallies in Siliguri and Kolkata, hit out at Banerjee over a host of issues including alleged lack of development, perpetuating family rule and for seeking proof of Indian Air Force's retributive strike on terror camps in Pakistan to avenge Pulwama killing of 40 CRPF troopers.Not the one who would take things lying down, the West Bengal chief minister mounted a blistering counteroffensive, mocking Modi's "56-inch chest" and claiming his government did nothing to save the lives of the CRPF jawans despite having "information" about the impending terror attack. "We are nationalists not fascists," she asserted.Modi launched his campaign, all guns blazing, as he targeted Banerjee, calling her the "speedbreaker" in the path of the state's development who wanted poverty to stay so her "politics of poverty" can flourish.At both the rallies, Modi slammed opposition parties for seeking proof of the damage done by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan's Balakot where terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's training camps were targeted. "While your chest swelled with pride and you held your head high, some people began crying and shouting here," he told the rally at Siliguri. "When the wound has been inflicted there (in Pakistan), why do you (the opposition) feel the pain. The 'didi' sitting in Kolkata felt the pain more than those in Islamabad, Lahore and Rawalpindi," Modi said, taking a swipe at Banerjee, who had demanded proof of the extent of damage inflicted during the IAF raids in Balakot.He accused both the Congress and the TMC of "perpetuating family rule". "In 55 years that a family ruled India, it stifled the talent of young people and spread the poison of casteism in society. It is being repeated in West Bengal where the aunt (Mamata Banerjee) and nephew (party MP Abhishek Banerjee) are looting people," he alleged.The prime minister cautioned people against voting for the TMC which has "inherited the bomb and gun culture" from the Left.Calling Banerjee a "speedbreaker" in the way of West Begal's development, Modi said he was waiting for that to get out of the way so the state can march forward. "I have not been able to ensure the development of Bengal with the same speed as the rest of the country. The reason for this is that in Bengal there is a speedbreaker, and this speedbreaker is known as Didi," Modi said, attacking the West Bengal chief minister.He alleged that Banerjee put hurdles in the way of implementation of the Centre's welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Yojana and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority Act (RERA). "Didi wants poverty to stay so her politics of poverty may flourish. I want to eradicate. But Didi, like the Congress and the Left, think if poverty is gone how will they run their politics," he said.Hardly had Modi concluded his speech at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata when Banerjee took the microphone at a rally in north Bengal's Dinhata, calling the prime minister "expiry babu" (one whose time to go had come). "I am not Modi, I don't tell lies," she declared, as she took on the prime minister over his "speedbreaker Didi" jibe.Claiming that 12,000 farmers had ended their lives under Modi's prime ministership, she listed out various social welfare schemes undertaken by her government like 'Kanyashree' for girls, 'Yuvashree' for the young people.Banerjee said West Bengal has been awarded by the Government of India for being the best state in implementing the 100-day minimum work guarantee scheme, the Centre's flagship rural employment programme. "It's not my claim but your government has given the award for the achievement," the feisty West Bengal leader said. "PM should not lie.