Nirmalya Mukherjee
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke of development, infrastructure, women’s welfare and road connectivity skipping his usual `bua-bhatija’ issue at a rally in Sahaganj Hooghly. The `bua-bhatija’ issue recently took a new turn when Mamata Banerjee raised the `baap-beta’ issue targetting Amit Shah and his son Jay Shah. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) yesterday started probe on Mamata Banerjee’s nephew (bhatija) Abhisekh Banerjee’s wife Rijura Naruala Banerjee and her sister Menoka Gambhir in connection with accounts transfer.
Observers said it could be because of the CBI probe that the Prime Minister had purposely avoided speaking on the bua-bhatija issue. The issue has become sensitive with alleged fingers pointed to Abhisekh and Mamata. A number of smuggling scams have surfaced in Bengal. CBI, ED and other central agencies are probing the scams. Some previous scams like Narada portal and Sarada chit fund scam are also being probed by the agencies. Some TMC leaders who defected to BJP are allegedly accused in the Narada portal and Sarada chit fund scam.
Modi however raised the political slogan of `ashol poriborton’. Taking a cue from Mamata’s slogan of 2011, `poriborton’, Modi today set the ball rolling for `ashol poriborton’ or real change in state. His call for a real change is also synonymous with the slogan `cholun paltai or come let us change’ already raised by Rajib Bandyopadhyay, the former minister in the TMC run starte cabinet who recently defected to the BJP.
Since December when preparations to 2021 state polls started, it is the first occasion when the highest BJP office skipped the `bua-bhatija’ issue. In all previous BJP meetings Amit Shah, J P Nadda and Kailsash Vijayvargiya had raised the issue. It remained not discussed at Modi’s today’s meeting. The Election Commission is expected to announce polls to state soon. TMC had already coined a new slogan in favour of Mamata Banerjee as `Banglar Meyeke Chai’ – we want Bengal’s girl, i.e., Mamata Banerjee.
Speaking at the Sahaganj rally, Prime Minister however, reiterated on his earlier stand of how the previous Congress, Left and TMC government had spoilt Bengal’s rich legacy. Once again, he highlighted the perils of the women in Bengal and that of the jute mills on the banks of Hooghly river. TMC MP Saugata Roy said, “ Modi is unaware of the developments. He only reads written speeches but does not take any responsibility. Modi is ignorant of Mamata Banerjee’s programmes like Kanyasree and Jal Dharo Jal Bharo. While Modi has spent Rs 100 crore for Beti Bachao Beti Parao programme, Mamata has spent Rs 900 crore on Kanyasree. Kanyasree won the U.N award’’.
A galaxy of TMC leaders who had defected and joined the BJP were present in the meeting. Locket Chatterjee of BJP is the Hooghly MP. Between 23 January and 22 February, Modi has visited the state thrice, the other occasions being in Kolkata and Haldia. He is expected to address a rally at the Brigade Parade Ground on 7th January. Sources said a number of TMC leaders belonging to its cultural front might join BJP at the rally. The rally will set BJP’s official ball rolling for 2021 Bengal polls. It is expected Modi could also leave some hint on BJP’s possible Chief Minister face after the polls. BJP is fighting the state polls without a face.
Bengali