No more olive branches, Modi now tears into TMC

In a major shift of stance, BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today for the first time aggressively hit out at Trinamool Congress(TMC) for bringing in a "fake Parivartan" in the state and playing vote bank politics.

"It's been twoyears since the new government took charge, but have you seen any parivartan (change). People have been cheated. If you have a strong and progressive-minded government in Delhi, every small thing will fall in place," Modi said an at election rally in Siliguri.

In fact, Modi wentahead to make a personal attack against TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee,whom he months back had praised for her efforts to revive the fortunes ofBengal. "I thought your chief minister would criticise the Left andCongress. But I find she criticises Modi hundred times a day, andwithout doing it she can't digest her meals," he said, adding, "Madam Chief." he said.

 

Modi today also raked up the Saradha scam in his attack. "Those who have indulged in loot in such a short span of time, what will they do if they get more time and opportunity?" he asked referring to the alleged involvement of some TMC leaders in the scam.

Modi's campaign speech today was in sharp contrast to his earlier soft-approach towards TMC. On Februray 5 during his first campiagn rally in the state at Brigade ground in Kolkata, Modi had tried to impress voters with his "Didi in Bengal and BJP in Delhi" slogan. "You vote for me, you will be benefited in three ways. Mamata will work for you in the state. I will work for you at the Centre. Above me there will be President Pranab Mukherjee, who is also from this land," he had noted then, making Left Front government's "misrule" responsible for "economically crippled" Bengal.

However,with Mamata Banerjee making all efforts to distance itself from BJP and going all out against Narendra Modi, BJP's prime ministerial candidate too seems to have decided to hit back now.

Astoday's rally was in Siliguri, Modi also tried to reach out to the Gorkha community saying, "The dream of Gorkha brothers is our dream." Bimal Gurung, President of Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM), which has extended support to BJP, shared the dias with him. Modi, however, stayed away from making any definitive promise about creating a seperate state of Gorkhaland.