Nowadays, BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi changes his tone while attacking his opponents as compared to his earlier rallies. In February while addressing rally in Kolkata, Modi was soft on Mamata Banerjee and had even asked the people to have “Didi in Bengal and BJP in Delhi”. However, on Thursday Modi accused her of playing Vote bank politics and said no real ‘parivartan’ (change) has taken place in the state during TMC’s rule. Surprisingly, these days Modi has accused and attacked those political leaders whom he has doubt that they might not come with NDA post elections. And he also attacks those who oppose him as PM candidate. On the other side, Mamata’s food does not digest if she does not criticise Modi. Didi in her each and every rally hit Modi terming him as communal and responsible for the Gujarat riots in 2002. Modi also criticised the TMC on the issue of multi-crore Saradha chitfund scam, and said “they must be punished”. 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 in an indirect reference to allegations of involvement of some Trinamool Congress leaders in the scam. Leaders can chose to express their displeasure in a manner which does not threaten the institutions that are guaranteed by the constitution to ensure effective functioning of the democracy in the country.
Criticising Modi as a person with ‘blood on his hands’, an apparent reference to 2002 riots in Gujarat, Mamata is “daydreaming” of becoming the next PM of this country but the people would not allow such a ‘nightmare’. Mamata may join hands with the third front. She always said in her speeches that Modi is a person who has blood in his hands. He is trying to divide India on the basis of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists. We don’t want such an India, we want a united India. They further attacked Modi accusing him of advertising himself as PM candidate. TMC’s Derek O’Brien also claimed when Lok Sabha poll results are out, none would become the Prime Minister without the support of Trinamool Congress. Mamata thinks Trinamool Congress will emerge as the third largest party in this election. Trinamool Congress, along with other three-four regional parties, will control more than 120 seats. Trinamool Congress has fought all the elections alone against Congress, CPI(M) and BJP.
There is no doubt, Modi and Mamata both have done well in their respective states. Mamata Banerji is the most honest politician of this country who is not only good leader but has also worked for her people. Modi is an aggressive development oriented leader, who has elevated Gujarat to greater heights. But still if one has to think of giving opportunity to rule the country, then Modi must be given a chance, for not a single leader has shown such will to lead and bring development. He has Gujarat as a proof. In Bengal, poverty is very high and there is no way to pull these people other than subsidies. There is no real driving force in Bengal, people are stagnant and they are happy. The only thing in Bengal is it has Natural resources in abundance. The major thing that has changed in West Bengal is the party running the Government. People have given her chance to do whatever she has promised before pre-assembly elections in her manifesto. Voters are also analysing them at the time of election. There is a concrete proof that democracy under Mamata in WB is under ICU. The Panchayat election that took place last year was thoroughly rigged by TMC’s goons; unprecedented attacks were launched against the then state election commission headed by Mira Pandey – the matter led to Supreme Court which castigated the government to stick to rules. But alas! Nothing changed – or to be precise, changed for the worse. Attack on West Bengal’s democracy began with attacks on Left whose nearly 150 activists were brutally murdered since 2011, thousands were driven out of homes, and thousands of false cases were foisted on them. Now, gradually, these attacks spread to other political parties (even TMC rival factions were not spared), Hon’ble Courts and now EC is the latest victim. The whole saga reminds me about famous dramatist Utpal Dutt’s magnum opus ‘Barricade’ written in the background of rise of fascism in Germany under Hitler and how one after another pillars of democracy became victims of dictators.
Mamata is overcome with paranoia and sees a ghost in every shadow. She cannot be allowed to violate EC’s orders and if she refuses to obey them, her government should be dismissed and President’s rule promulgated immediately. She cannot turn everything into street-corner type brawl. She is trying to start wrong predisposition in Indian politics.
Modi too has his share of controversies and he was been proven innocent in all the cases against him. Time and again, there were inquires against Modi but there were no evidences found against him. Modi is also dictatorial by nature but he has vision and a steady mind to take the lead. Moreover, BJP would get good number of seats in the Lok Sabha elections and would not need any post-poll support, including that of the Trinamool Congress. Voting for Left or the so-called Third Front parties will be a vote for instability or support to the Congress Party. It is no secret that the Left will again support the Congress and even Mamata will go with them. Anyways, Didi and Modi should refrain themselves from personal attacks and look forward to improve their performance in these general elections.
