Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Brigade public rally. Photo: Collected.
Prime Minister Modi’s voice began to sound warning just seven minutes into his forty-five-minute speech at the Brigade gathering. He stated, “The day is not far when the rule of law will be established in West Bengal.” He immediately declared that no oppressor would escape punishment; they would be tracked out and made responsible.
In all of his recent addresses, Prime Minister Modi has called for “change,” a rallying cry to destroy the Trinamool’s “Mahajangalraj” (lawlessness equal to the jungle). He has emphasized the development projects in West Bengal that have stopped because of the Trinamool at each of his last six public rallies. He has also outlined the precise measures that the BJP will take if it were to win the state. But these themes came with a rare warning at the Brigade gathering on Saturday. The goal, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was not just a “change” of power but also the settlement of “accounts” with numerous people. This warning was repeated at least three times throughout Modi’s address, so it wasn’t a singular statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders on the public rally stage. At the Brigade on Saturday. Photo: PTI.
Table of Contents
BJP’s paribartan yatra
The “Parivartan Yatra” (Journey of Change), which the BJP has urged for throughout the state, officially came to an end at the Brigade on Saturday. From March 1st to March 10th, the “Yatra” traveled through district after district. The state leadership of the BJP thereafter concentrated on getting ready for the Brigade rally after returning to Kolkata. Speaking at this rally, which marked the end of the “Yatra,” Modi started off by lavishly praising the enormous turnout.
He said, “As far as the eye can see, there is nothing but a sea of humanity,” at the beginning of his statement. “The Trinamool has used every weapon in its arsenal to obstruct this rally,” he continued. They removed flags, tore down posters, stopped cars, barricaded bridges, closed roads, and created traffic jams. But pay attention, you brutal government: no one has been suppressed by you. Officially, the countdown has started.
A gathering of BJP workers and supporters. At the Brigade on Saturday. Photo: Collected.
The Brigade gathering on Saturday is thought to be the State BJP’s most “successful” rally to far. The audience was well-organized, and the turnout was enormous. Buses were used to transport people from different South Bengal districts. In addition, sixteen trains were hired to carry participants from North Bengal. The State BJP’s organizational skills are demonstrated by this turnout. But starting on Saturday afternoon, throngs and the buses carrying them were clearly occupying the area around the Maidan.
Modi’s Guarantee
During his speech, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his promise to imprison “criminals” and made another “guarantee.” He made it clear that by “criminals,” he meant the Trinamool Congress in particular before issuing this warning. Without specifically naming Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Modi launched a vicious attack on her “ruthless government,” accusing it of impeding the execution of central government programs in West Bengal, including PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya Ghar, Ayushman Bharat, and initiatives for tea garden workers.He added insult to injury by claiming that the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’s name had been altered and that the beneficiary lists had been tampered with. Additionally, he said that although the Jal Jeevan Mission has effectively provided piped water to every household in other states, West Bengalis are being denied these advantages.
On the Brigade stage (from left): Samik Bhattacharya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Suvendu Adhikari. Photo: From video.
“The Trinamool has but one goal—they will not do any work themselves, nor will they permit anyone else to do so,” said Prime Minister Modi. They won’t allow the poor or the villages to profit from any initiative until they have their “cut-money.” Prime Minister Modi also voiced concerns about women’s safety and jobs. “This is your dream,” Modi remarked in Bengali as he assured the young people of West Bengal that plans would be put in place to guarantee that they would find work in the state after finishing their education. And Modi promises to make this dream a reality.” Regarding women’s safety, Modi said, “Parents nowadays tell their daughters—’Come back home before dusk falls.'” “Criminals will be put behind bars if the BJP forms the government,” Prime Minister Modi warned. Modi guarantees this.
“The countdown for the Trinamool government has begun,” Prime Minister Modi said, issuing a warning for the third time. On the one hand, we shall follow the philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Support of all, Development for all) once a BJP government is established here. However, everyone will be held responsible.The prime minister didn’t end there. “For those who intimidate you, the days of their own fear are about to begin,” he declared, addressing the large assembly at the Brigade. There is only one place for criminals, infiltrators, and those involved in appeasement politics: prison.
Shamik Bhattacharya (left) hands over a portrait of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay—painted by artist Subrata Gangopadhyay—to Narendra Modi (right). Photo: PTI.
Prime Minister Modi questioned, citing Mamata’s statement from the Dharmatala protest stage, “Which community is going to wipe out crores of people? I would like to know: “Who are these people—this community—that will kill crores of people at the Trinamool’s command?” Modi also took offense at a remark made by Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, without specifically mentioning her. Interestingly, Mahua had also said so from the same Dharmatala protest stage. “Anyone who does not vote for the Trinamool is supposedly not a Bengali,” Modi said. However, Trinamool’s hooliganism is coming to an end.
President Droupadi Murmu’s ‘Disrespect’
Prime Minister Modi had previously spoken out regarding the ‘disrespect’ shown to President Droupadi Murmu. As expected, while addressing the gathering from the Brigade Parade Ground stage on Saturday, he once again raised this issue, describing the incident as an ‘insult’ to the tribal community, the nation’s highest constitutional office, the Constitution, and Babasaheb Ambedkar. Additionally, Modi launched a vicious attack by highlighting the ongoing dispute between the State Government, particularly the Trinamool Congress, and the Election Commission of India. “When the Indian Air Force carried out the airstrikes in Balakot in 2019, the Trinamool Congress demanded proof of it!” Modi said, accusing the party of having a similar attitude toward the nation’s military services. Modi went on to say that the Trinamool Congress is trying to bring its “anarchic” system from West Bengal to Delhi.