India’s ruling Congress and opposition BJP have fixed their eyes on West Bengal, a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress.
Parts of West Bengal, along with those of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, will go to polls on May 12 in the last of the nine-phase general election.
Elections in the world’s biggest democracy kicked off on Apr 7. Results will be announced on May 16.
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Congress Vice-Chairman Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Kolkata on Thursday in a bid to win over voters.
A week ago, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi also campaigned there.
However, the main battle will be between the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition Left Front, say political analysts.
Trinamool bagged 19 seats in the last polls followed by the CPI(M) with nine. CPI, Forward Block and RSP won two seats each.
Female supporters of the Congress cheered and chanting slogans as Rahul Gandhi approached the rally venue on Thursday afternoon.
He elaborated on his party’s plans to reduce poverty and take India forward.
He criticised Modi’s much-talked-about ‘Gujarat Model’ – which many claim encompasses robust development championed by Modi in his home state.
But the Congress leader said the Model had proved oppressive for the poor.
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“Only the media is abuzz with the ‘Gujarat Model’ while Mr Modi is quiet,” he said, alleging it only helped the rich become richer.
Rahul also took a dig at Modi for his anti-communal remarks in poll campaigns.
“India is for all — the Hindus, Muslims, Shikhs, Christians,” Rahul said. “Mr Modi is trying to create divisions in this nation, while we’re speaking of non-communalism.”
Modi, a hardline Hindu nationalist, is widely criticised for his role during the 2002 Hindu-Muslim riot in Gujarat.
In a rally, he advised the immigrants from Bangladesh to “pack their bags” and leave once he came to power.
Rahul said Modi’s dream of becoming India’s prime minister won’t come true, though opinion polls and media surveys predict the BJP leader will be the next PM.
The Congress vice-chairman also criticised the Mamata Banerjee government and the Left leadership for doing little for the state’s development.
Anik Banerjee, who attended the the rally, said the Congress was trying its best to win in West Bengal.
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“The BJP and Trinamool’s propaganda against the Gandhi dynasty is unacceptable,” he said.
Both parties have made allegations of corruption against the Gandhi family.
“Kolkata is a Trinamool stronghold,” die-hard Congress supporter Jotish Gayen told bdnews24.com.
“But Mamata is rigging the polls,” he said, adding that the Congress would fare better if the polls were fair.
In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Congress won in six out 42 West Bengal seats while BJP got one.
Source: Bd news24
