Rijiju Claims Strong BJP Wave in West Bengal
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday asserted that there is a strong wave in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, expressing the party's desire to see the state once again become a growth engine for the country. Speaking to ANI, Rijiju stated that people believe only the BJP can restore Bengal after what he described as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) "destroying" the state.
"In Bengal, the picture has become very clear. I went there and met a lot of people, had meetings. Prime Minister Modi's wave, BJP's wave, has reached the grassroots. And people have come to know that the way Trinamool Congress has destroyed West Bengal, only BJP can clean it up. This has become very clear," he said.
Bengal's Historical Role and Decline
Rijiju emphasized the importance of having a BJP government in Bengal, citing Prime Minister Modi's clear message. "West Bengal used to play a leadership role whether it is social, political or related aspects. Northeast India was also dependent on West Bengal, and was positively influenced, there was influence of Bengali community, culture... the Northeast gained from Bengal's economy. Now the state has gone down in perception, Northeast followed Bengal but the state now lags in income, it is a matter of pain," he added.
He noted that the state, having been ruled by the Congress, Left parties, and the TMC, has witnessed a decline. "Prime Minister Modi's message is to make West Bengal an economic engine again and make Calcutta not only a city of joy but also a city of the future. The hope that Prime Minister Modi is giving to Calcutta and West Bengal, his winning trust of people, it has reached the grassroots," he added.
Reaction to Mamata Banerjee's Remarks
Responding to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Rijiju said the exercise was necessary to ensure the integrity of voter lists. "SIR should be done because the one who are illegal immigrants, their name should be removed, people who are dead, their names should be deleted. Why they oppose, I fail to understand," he said.
Answering a question about Mamata Banerjee's dig at PM Modi over his "jhalmuri break" during campaign in West Bengal polls, Rijiju said that anyone who targets the PM will see their political graph decline. "Anyone who targets PM Modi, people do not like..." he said.
Polling Schedule
Polling for the second phase, covering 142 Assembly seats in West Bengal, will take place on Wednesday. The first phase was held on April 23, and the results will be declared on May 4. (With agency inputs)
