Two rallies were organized by JP Nadda where he attacked TMC alleging corruption.
Kolkata:
BJP president JP Nadda and Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee campaigned in several areas of West Bengal over the weekend for the upcoming panchayat elections in the state. But with a little over a year to go for the big general elections in 2024, both the BJP and the Trinamool are eyeing the seats they lost to each other in 2019.
On his second visit to the state in a month, JP Nadda campaigned in Kanthi and Purba Bardhaman seats, which are held by TMC. During his last visit, he had campaigned in Krishna Nagar, another Trinamool seat, on January 19.
JP Nadda took a jibe at the TMC, saying, “T in TMC is for extortion and terror, M is for money laundering and mafia and C is for corruption and commission.”
JP Nadda said in Bengali, “Gerua jhor aashche tere, Trinamool bhag bangla chere.
Trinamool Congress’s Abhishek Banerjee retorted, “Even before the 2021 elections, he had said these things and went to the city with it.” They say TMC means terror, mafia and corruption, I can say BJP means Bharat Jalao Party. Or Indian Jatra (theatrics) party or Bangla Jalao party. They are going to the people, and we are also going to the people. Let the public decide.”
He said, “Today India’s economy is in bad shape. Who is responsible for the inflation? Today BJP leaders are giving big speeches, but why are there no ED, CBI raids in BJP ruled states? Are they innocent?” ? The day the government changes, everyone from top to bottom in the government will be in jail. Their double engine means ED and CBI.” Abhishek Banerjee added.
Meanwhile, two rallies were held by Mr Nadda where he took on the TMC over corruption in the alleged teacher recruitment scam.
But the choice of venue shows that JP Nadda is focusing on the seats the BJP lost to the TMC in 2019, where the party is expected to gain. Kanthi was won by Sisir Adhikari, father of veteran politician and current Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. The Trinamool demanded his disqualification, claiming he was now with the BJP.
JP Nadda said, “Modi is taking Bengal forward and Mamta Banerjee is pushing it back.” “These days the housing scheme is being audited and TMC workers who have two-storey houses are opting for PM Awas Yojana. You decide whether you want this TMC to continue,” he said. Along with Mr Nadda, Union Minister Smriti Irani also hit out at the TMC.
Leader of Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari’s absence from the rally raised eyebrows as he lives 25 km away from the rally venue. Shubhendu Adhikari said it was Mr Nadda who advised him to visit Tripura on the last day of campaigning.
Mr Adhikari’s absence after meeting JP Nadda last evening in Kolkata raised speculation even after his clarification. After meeting JP Nadda, Shubhendu Adhikari tweeted that this was Mr Nadda’s second visit in less than a month, and these visits would boost the morale of BJP workers in the state.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool is trying to reverse its defeat in North Bengal, where the BJP did well not only in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but also in the 2021 assembly elections. TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee said the BJP’s performance in North Bengal is the result of Trinamool’s own mistakes.
“In two consecutive elections the people of Coochbehar have turned their backs on the mistakes we made in 2019 and 2021, yes, the mistakes we made. I can say with responsibility, the enthusiasm and excitement we are witnessing, this gathering Is.” Meeting of change in Coochbehar. Those who voted for BJP in 2019 and 2021 know that voting for BJP is like digging a canal to bring in crocodiles,” said Abhishek Banerjee.
East Midnapore and parts of North Bengal are going to be one of the most hotly contested constituencies when the general elections are held in 2024. Both BJP and TMC are already campaigning in the areas they lost in 2019, with top leaders of both the parties campaigning there.
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