Modi, Didi blame each other for vandalism

Kolkata

Campaigning in West Bengal ended in a bitter note with PM Narendra Modi and CM Mamata Banerjee locked in a blame game over vandalisation of the bust of Bengali icon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar during BJP chief Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata.

Addressing a rally earlier in the day, Mamata ended her campaign with a massive “padyatra” in Kolkata (South). Modi, who addressed two rallies, blamed TMC workers for breaking the bust. At a rally in Mathurapur, he said, “It was TMC goons who were involved in vandalism. They were the ones to desecrate the bust of Vidyasagar. Police officers are trying to wipe out evidence of the incident to protect TMC goons, who have made Bengal hell.” He demanded exemplary punishment for the guilty.

“Didi has lost her cool in the face of imminent defeat. Frustrated, she is threatening me she will put me behind bars,” the PM said. Referring to Mamata’s nephew and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, he claimed the “aunt-nephew jodi is looting Bengal”.

In an oblique reference to Mamata’s rapport with Muslim voters, he declared: “While the BJP is committed to upholding and safeguarding the traditional culture of Bengal, Mamata Banerjee is interested only in catering to the sentiments of infiltrators from across the border.” He addressed another meeting at Dum Dum.

Mamata, rejecting the PM’s offer to rebuild the bust, said Bengal had enough resources for the task. At a rally in Mandirbazar, she said, “Modi has promised to rebuild the Vidyasagar statue in Kolkata. But why should we take their (BJP’s) money, Bengal has enough resources. The BJP has destroyed 200-year-old heritage of West Bengal. Those supporting the party will not be accepted by society,” she warned.

Hitting out at the saffron party over its social media posts, the TMC supremo said the BJP had been spreading canards to instigate riots.

Campaigning for nine seats in the final phase of polling on Sunday was to end on Friday, but was advanced by 24 hours in view of the violence during Shah’s rally. A livid Mamata alleged this was done to help Modi.