Assembly Elections 2021 updates: PM Modi vows 'poribartan' in Bengal; Kerala known for corruption under LDF, claims Shah

‘Cannot understand’ the Congress’ politics, says Amit Shah

“I cannot understand the Congress. In Kerala, they are fighting against the communists. In West Bengal, they have an alliance with them. Congress has allied with the Muslim League and ISF in Kerala and West Bengal but in Maharashtra they are with Shiv Sena. What is going on?” the Union Home Minister said in his rally on Sunday.

“When the communists attacked Aiyappa devotees then Congress stayed silent. Sabarimala Temple should function as per the wishes of Aiyappa devotees and not according to the government,” he added.

He concluded his speech by saying, “If you give BJP five years, then we will make Kerala the number 1 state in the country.”

Only BJP can make Kerala ‘aatmanirbhar’, says Amit Shah

Amit Shah on Sunday said that the UDF and LDF alliances cannot take Kerala forward. “Only the BJP can form an Aatmanirbhar Kerala under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

Kerala known for ‘corruption, political violence’ due to LDF, UDF govts: Amit Shah

Amit Shah slammed the Left-led ruling alliance LDF and the Congress-led alliance UDF in his rally in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. 

He also questioned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over corruption cases in the state. Referring to the gold smuggling case and dollar smuggling case, he said, “I would like to ask a few questions to the CM of Kerala to which he must answer publicly: Did the chief accused in the dollar and gold smuggling case work under you in your office? When UDF comes, it does the Solar scam. When LDF comes, it does the Dollar scam. They’re both competing in how corrupt they can be!”

“Kerala was the first state to defeat illiteracy and build tourism as an industry. However, today, with UDF-LDF, it has turned into the centre-stage of political violence and corruption,” he added.

Amit Shah lauds ‘Metro man’ E Sreedharan

The Union Home Minister on Sunday lauded E Sreedharan, who is credited with developing the metro rail system across the country. Sreedharan joined the saffron party in February and said that he would be open to becoming the chief minister if the BJP wins the upcoming polls.

Amit Shah welcomes attendees of BJP’s Vijay Yatra in Kerala

The Union Home Minister began his address as part of the valecdictory event of the BJP’s Vijay Yatra in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday evening.

Amit Shah to address rally in Kerala shortly

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is on a two-state visit, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, as part of the BJP’s Assembly poll campaign. Shah, who met 27 mutt leaders from across Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram, will address the BJP’s ‘Vijay Yatra’ shortly.

‘Metro man’ E Sreedharan is also present at the venue.

Thiruvananthapuram: Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the valedictory function for BJP's Kerala Vijay Yatra being held in Shangumugham area; 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan also present pic.twitter.com/PUWk13fJ8D

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2021

Decision to join TMC was wrong, says Mithun Chakraborty

“I will work for the poor, just like I have portrayed myself in films. I have helped many off screen but I never publicised it. BJP is trying to do something for the poor and If I am trying to help the poor then I need some help. I need to hold someone’s hand,” said actor Mithun Chakraborty on Sunday after he joined the saffron party.

“My politics may be extreme but I am not with extremists. I won’t blame anyone but my choice to join TMC was wrong,” says Chakraborty.

Mamata Banerjee asks Hemant Soren to campaign for her in Bengal polls

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren has been requested by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to campaign for her in the West Bengal Assembly election, PTI reported. adding that Soren’s party has said that it will take a decision soon, “keeping in mind the objective of giving a pushback to the BJP’s poll prospects”.

The development assumes significance as the JMM is an alliance government with the Congress in Jharkhand and the Sonia Gandhi-led party has tied up with the Left and the Indian Secular Front in West Bengal against the BJP and the TMC.

After the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Samajwadi Party and the Shiv Sena, Banerjee had said last week that the TMC has received support from the JMM and the Nationalist Congress Party for the Assembly polls.

Congress says won’t seek share in power if DMK wins Tamil Nadu polls

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K S Alagiri on Sunday said his party did not intend seeking a share in power if the DMK is elected after the 6 April Assembly polls. He expressed joy over the Congress getting 25 seats from the Dravidian partner. His party has, however, sought a Rajya Sabha seat from the DMK, the TNCC leader said

After signing the seat sharing agreement with DMK chief MK Stalin, Alagiri, all smiles, told reporters that the conclusion of the deal has given his party “huge enthusaism and joy”.

Asked if there was a chance for the Congress to seek a share in power if the DMK was voted into office —  as there was speculation of BJP making such a demand with the AIADMK — he said, “No, we have no such intention.”

BJP is West Bengal’s preferred choice, says Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the BJP is West Bengal’s “preferred choice”, as he thanked the people of Kolkata for their participation in his rally on Sunday.

Thank you Kolkata!

Thank you West Bengal.

BJP is the state’s preferred choice. pic.twitter.com/5C9Fzvv5CF

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 7, 2021

Mithun Chakraborty to join BJP Bengal campaign on 12 March

Actor Mithun Chaktraborty, who joined the BJP in Kolkata on Sunday, said that he will join the party’s campaign on 12 March.

“The campaign will begin on 12th March. I will join. If you have watched Fatakeshto (film series), you would know,” he said, on being asked about his role in BJP.

Tamil Nadu’s development is ’top-most priority’, says Amit Shah

Amit Shah said that the BJP will win the upcoming polls in alliance with the AIADMK with “absolute majority”. He visited the state to launch the party’s campaign for the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha bypolls.

Launched @BJP4TamilNadu's door to door campaign from Suchindram, Kanyakumari. Under @narendramodi Ji’s leadership, development of Tamil Nadu is our topmost priority. I appeal people of state to elect the BJP-AIADMK alliance with absolute majority. pic.twitter.com/OzVfhoSw02

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 7, 2021

BJP says Mamata Banerje is ‘doing tamasha’

West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after Prime MInister Narendra Modi’s rally in Kolkata on Sunday.

“Modi has spelled out what he wants for Bengal. We will build that Bengal. All that Mamata Banerjee is doing is tamasha. They are counting down her days,” he said.

Gautam Gambhir to join BJP campaign in Bengal today

BJP leader and MP Gautam Gambhir who is likely to join party’s campaign in poll-bound West Bengal on Sunday said he always felt at home in the state. He added that he felt “sad and dejected” over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks that the BJP was a party of “outsiders” and it had no place in the state.

The former top order Indian batsman will campaign in all eight phases of the Assembly polls in the state, as well as in three phases of the Assam Assembly polls, PTI reported

This will be Gambhir’s first full-fledged election campaign for the BJP outside Delhi. Earlier, he had campaigned for former hockey player Sandip Singh in Haryana Assembly polls last year.

Amit Shah holds roadshow in Tamil Nadu’s Nagercoil 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who canvassed for the BJP in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, held a road show in Nagercoil in the Kanyakumar district. 

He travelled in an open van amid slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vetrivel Veeravel”, the latter slogan being dedicated to the Tamil deity, Lord Muruga.

Shah also garlanded a statue of Congress veteran and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu K Kamaraj, an architect of education reforms in the state and a leader respected across party lines.

Never dreamt of sharing stage with Narendra Modi, says Mithun Chakraborty

Actor Mithun Chakraborty, who joined the BJP weeks ahead of the Assembly polls on Sunday, said that he had “never dreamt” of sharing a stage with Prime Minister Narendr Modi. Modi addressed a rally in Kolkata as part of the BJP’s campaign

“I once dreamt of doing something big in life but I never dreamt of being on a platform where such big leaders and the leader of the biggest democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji will be present,” Chakraborty said.

‘Ready to play ‘one-on-one’ with BJP’: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at the BJP over allegations of corruption against the ruling TMC and said that all of “India knows about Narendra Modi and Amit Shah’s syndicate”.

Challenging the saffron party, she said “khela hobe”, and that she is “ready to play one-on-one”. “If they (BJP) want to buy votes, take the money and cast your vote for TMC,” she added.

Amit Shah launches campaign for Kanyakumari Lok Sabha bypolls

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday launched his party’s campaign for the 6 April Lok Sabha bypoll here and exuded confidence that the party would not only win here, but that the NDA in Tamil Nadu will emerge victorious in the Assembly elections too next month.

The BJP, which is part of the AIADMK-led NDA in Tamil Nadu, has fielded former Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan as its candidate for the bypoll.

Launching the party’s campaign from Suseendiram in this Kanyakumari district, Shah said he was confident that a coalition government of the NDA will come to power in the state after the Assembly polls.

Poriborton will happen in Delhi, not in Bengal, says Mamata Banerjee

“Poribortan (change) will happen in Delhi, not in Bengal. He (Modi) said there is no security for women in Bengal but look at UP, Bihar and other states. Women are safe in Bengal,” ANI quotes Mamata Banerjee as saying.

Mamata Banerjee leads rally against LPG price hike in Siliguri

West Bengal: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leads 'padyatra' against LPG cylinders' price hike, in Siliguri pic.twitter.com/T2tcee8qoM

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2021

Modi asks people to vote against misgovernance

Lotus is blooming in Bengal because your party (TMC) has spawned muck in the state alleges Modi. Modi says “You’ve pushed Bengal towards division instead of development, and thus the lotus is blooming. You’ve divided people on religious lines, and thus the lotus is blooming,” he says and asks people to vote against misgovernance and for freeing people of fear. “Bengal wants development,” Modi says.

BJP’s ethos rooted in Bengal, says Modi

 “I have known Didi since ages. She is not the same person who raised her voice against the Left,” Modi says. He say  that Mamata Banerjee’s is being controlled, and refers to the TMC having broken off from  the Congress. On the other hand the BJP has the ethos of Bengal, he claimed. “We are outsiders, they say, are the founders of Congress’ not outsiders? Are Marx, Lenin, Mao not outsiders? But our leader was Syama Prasad Mookerjee so Bengal is in BJP’s DNA,” Modi said.

Relief money sent for Amphan looted, alleges Modi

“These people are experienced and play a lot. They have done a lot of corruption and looted the people of Bengal. They have even looted the relief money sent for Amphan, alleges Modi. “You have done so many scams that a Corruption Olympics can be organised,” he says.

Do you want friendship or tolabaazi, asks Modi

Seeking to counter allegations of cronysism, Modi said he comes from a poor background and says that his friends are the common people and promises that he will work for these friends of his.  “Corona disturbed all over the world, but it was these poor friends of mine who were very upset. When corona came, I gave ration to every friend for free, gave free gas cylinders and deposited crores of rupees in bank account, " he says.He also said he wants to bring benefits of Ayushman Bharat to the state. Do you want friendship or tolabaazi, he asks

Modi mocks Bengal CM over ‘scooty’ video

Modi take jibe at Mamata Banerjee over her video riding a scooty in protest against fuel price hike. “It is good that you have not fallen(from the scooty), otherwise you would’ve made the state in which it has become a scooty, would have made that state its enemy,” he says.  He also says he was surpised to see that “Didi’s” scooty has taken a sudden turn towards Nandigram when it was supposed to stop at Bhawanipore

TMC failed to bring about change, alleges Modi

Modi alleged that TMC failed to bring the promised ‘change’ to the lives of people and has also failed to bring the changes to lives of its government employees. “You are well aware of the condition of ‘Maa, Manush, Maati’. Mothers are being attacked on streets and in their houses.” he claimed.

Mamata couldn’t leave bhai-bhatija culture, alleges Modi

Modi exhorted the crowd to chant slogans against corruption, tolaabaazi, syndicate, unemployment and violence, terrorism and Injustice. Bengal had chosen you in the role of ‘Didi’ but why did you limit yourself to the aunt of only one nephew, Modi asks, targeting Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Even you (Mamata) couldn’t leave the Congress’ bhai-bhatija sanskar against which you had protested, Modi says. You are the daughter of not only Bengal but of India.

Modi targets Congress-Left alliance

“Our aim is not just to transform the government but to take Bengal’s politics towards a politics of development. Many years have been wasted and we don’t want to give anyone chance”, Modi says. He alleges that people have been harassed time and again. Congress came to power under the slogan of Independence. Work was done for some time but then the vote bank politics became predominant. This kind of a politics was taken ahead by the Leftists, Modi alleges. He targets the Congress-Left alliance, asking how the Left went against its own sloagn of the Congress haveing ‘black hands’.

Will work towards making Kolkata city of future: Modi

Kolkata is the city of joy, it has heritage and and also possibilities for the future there is no reason why it can’t be the city of future. We will work towards that Modi says. Due to their(TMC) commission culture, many important projects in Kolkata are stuck, he alleged.If BJP comes to power, people who stay in jhuggis will get houses under PM Awas yojana, he promises. Cities apart from Kolkata will also be modernised he says.

Next 25 years important for Bengal, says Modi

Whatever has been snatched from Bengal will be returned to it, vows, Modi. Next 25 years important for Bengal’s development and the next five years will form the foundation for the next 25 years. This time you will vote for taking Bengal to the new heights, Modi says. Modi says come 2047, when India will complete 100 years of its Independence, Bengal will lead India

‘Ashol Poriborton’ for state where business flourishes, says Modi

Ashol Poriborton means such a state where people will not be forced to migrate, where business and trade flourishes and where there is modern 21st Century infrastructure and even the most poor gets an opportunity to progress, where inflitrators will be stopped.

Promise ashol poriborton, says Modi

Some people must be thinking today is 2 May, says Modi and again exhorts audience to chant Bharat Mata ki Jai. “With blessings of the people, the project of Sonar Bangala will definitely be achieved”, he says. I promise you of ‘asal parivartan’ —I want to assure you of increasing investment in Bengal, of redeveloping the state and of protecting its culture, he says.

TMC has broken trust of people, says Modi

The TMC and Mamata Banerjee have broken the trust of the people, alleges Narendra Modi. Bengal wants peace, development and ‘sonar Bangla," he says. On the one side there are Congress and the left parties which are anti-Bengal while on the other side the people of Bengal themselves. ‘The people who have gathered here are evidence of the hope that is being nurtured by the people who will vote out Trinamool Congress in the upcoming elections, he says. He also referred to actor Mithun Chakraborty, who joined the BJP, as the son of Bengal.

Many from Bengal sacrificed lives for countrys unity says Modi

The land of Bengal has increased the science and knowledge in the country. The state has given us many who sacrificed their lives for the unity of the country , he says and pays tributes to the state. He invokes leaders such as SyamaPrasad Mukherjee, Vivekananda and Aurobindo.

Modi begins speech

Prime Miniiter Narendra Modi begins his speech with chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai and chants of Vande Mataram. He greets senior leaders of BJP present on the stage and the people of Kolkata. I have addressed 100s of rallies in my political life but such a huge crowd giving its blessings, I am only able to witness this today.  The roads are blocked but I don’t think they will be able to reach, he says.

Modi arrives at Brigade Parade Ground

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground amid chants of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’.

West Bengal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Brigade Parade Ground to address a public rally pic.twitter.com/5Uq2y0uCBa

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2021

Modi arrives in Kolkata

#WATCH Live via ANI FB: PM Modi to address public rally at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata https://t.co/3mo97GEPcV pic.twitter.com/ws3cuL0zuO

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2021

‘Welcoming Mithun Chakravarty in fight for better Bengal’: MP Swapan Dasgupta

At the Brigade Parade Grounds rally for PM Narendra Modi. Welcoming Mithun Chakravrty to the fight for a better Bengal pic.twitter.com/OFToJyhjTY

— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) March 7, 2021

Can see dream turning into reality, says Mithun Chakraborty after joining BJP

“Today’s day is like a dream for me. The world’s biggest democracy’s biggest leader Prime Miister Narendra Modi will be here in a short while,” said Mithun Chakraborty, after joining the BJP in Kolkata. “I dreamt of doing something for India, I can see that dream come to reality today,” News18 quotes him as saying.

Landed in Kolkata, tweets Modi

Landed in Kolkata. On my way to the massive party rally. Looking forward to being among Party Karyakartas and the wonderful people of West Bengal.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 7, 2021

Suvendu Adhikari slams TMC

Suvendu Adhikari who switched to the BJP from the TMC slammed his former party at the Brigade Parade Ground. “TMC is not a political party, it has become a private limited company. Its chairman is called Mamata Banerjee and its MD is Tolabaaz Bhaipo,” ANI quotes him as saying.

TMC is not a political party, it has become a private limited company. Its chairman is called Mamata Banerjee and its MD is Tolabaaz Bhaipo: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari at Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata pic.twitter.com/cSpdkq78G2

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2021

Modi reaches Kolkata airport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed at the Kolkata airport, reports News18. Modis is likely to begin his address at the Brigade Parade Ground at 2 pm.

Kailash Vijayvargiya welcomes Mithun Chakraborty to BJP

स्वागतम मिथुन दा !!!

प्रसिद्ध अभिनेता श्री मिथुन चक्रवर्ती जी विधिवत रूप से भाजपा में शामिल#ModirSatheBrigade pic.twitter.com/hAqUOTuqh6

— Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) March 7, 2021

Mithun Chakraborty joins BJP 

Actor Mithun Chakraborty joined the BJP ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled address at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. Once considered close to the CPM, Chakraborty was Rajya Sabha MP for the TMC for few years, before resigning expressing desire to quit politics.

#WATCH Actor Mithun Chakraborty joins Bharatiya Janata Party at PM's rally in Kolkata#WestBengalElection2021 pic.twitter.com/MGzGH7sSaf

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2021

BJP to release candidate list after PM’s rally

The BJP, which was scheduled to come out with the candidate list for the first two phases of theWest Bengal Assembly election on Friday, had decided to postpone it for the brigade rally.  “We have decided to postpone the release of the candidatelist for the brigade rally. Once it is over, we would come out with our list,” BJP leader Rahul Sinha said.

PTI

Visuals from Brigade Parade Ground

West Bengal: Actor Mithun Chakraborty on stage at PM Narendra Modi's rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/QKLodSKiEr

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2021

Mithun Chakraborty present on stage

Actor Mithun Chakraborty is attending BJP’s rally at the Briagde Parade ground in Kolkata.  According to news agency ANI, West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh  and BJP national general Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya are also present.

West Bengal: Actor Mithun Chakraborty on stage at PM Narendra Modi's rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata pic.twitter.com/QKLodSKiEr

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2021

Narendra Modi to address rally today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday address a mega rally at the Brigade Parade Grounds in Kolkata.Sunday’s rally will be the first major event of the saffron party in West Bengal after declaration of eight-phase elections in the state.