Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Apr 12: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath made a high-profile entry into the election campaign in West Bengal on Sunday, addressing a large rally in Sonamukhi where he launched a sharp attack on the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and opposition Left parties.
Speaking to a packed crowd, Adityanath declared that “khela” in Bengal would come to an end and be replaced by what he described as a phase of development under the Bharatiya Janata Party. He asserted that a BJP-led “double-engine government” in the state and at the Centre would strengthen governance and curb what he termed as “goondaism” and political violence.
He alleged that BJP workers were being targeted in the state and claimed that law-and-order issues had worsened under the current administration. Reiterating his party’s campaign pitch, he urged voters to support BJP candidates Dibakar Gharami (Sonamukhi), Nirmal Dhara (Indas), and Bileshwar Singha (Barjora).
The Chief Minister also criticized the West Bengal government over its response to reported violence involving Hindus in Bangladesh, suggesting that political considerations were influencing its stance. He accused opposition parties of engaging in “vote-bank politics” and warned against what he described as attempts to alter the state’s demographic balance.
Referring to Bengal’s cultural and intellectual legacy, he expressed concern over its present condition, stating that a region once known for spirituality, education, and reform was now facing issues of corruption and disorder.
Citing figures such as Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he invoked Bengal’s historical contributions to Indian thought and identity.
Adityanath further referenced Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Anandamath, warning that Bengal could face renewed hardship if governance challenges continue, albeit in a modern context driven by mismanagement rather than famine.
He concluded by urging voters to support the BJP, promising improvements in infrastructure, employment opportunities, and safety for citizens under a “double-engine” governance model.