What Has PM Modi Achieved for Bengal? Excited Supporters Anticipate His Singur Rally
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Excitement builds among BJP supporters ahead of Modi's rally.
- The historical significance of Singur is tied to the Nano project controversy.
- Supporters hope for new developmental announcements from PM Modi.
- Concerns over law and order and employment opportunities are being highlighted.
- BJP's campaign is linking the rally to past events for electoral impact.
Hooghly, Jan 18 (NationPress) With Prime Minister Narendra Modi preparing to address a crowd in Singur, located in West Bengal's Hooghly district, BJP supporters are gathering in significant numbers, showcasing their excitement and anticipation.
Starting early on Sunday, party members and supporters flocked to Singur, creating an electric political atmosphere ahead of the Prime Minister's rally.
Chanting 'Narendra Modi Zindabad', BJP leaders, workers, and supporters from various areas marched towards Singur, many brandishing portraits of the Prime Minister.
The procession progressed steadily as attendees shouted slogans in favor of what they termed effective governance while voicing their discontent against the alleged mismanagement by the Trinamool Congress in the state.
The area buzzed with chants of 'Narendra Modi Zindabad' and other slogans as supporters expressed their confidence in the BJP's potential in West Bengal.
A supporter shared with IANS, "Today, PM Modi is arriving in Singur, and we are thrilled about his visit. The law and order in Bengal has worsened, the crime rate against women has surged, and infiltrators have become a major concern. We believe this time, the public will oust the Trinamool Congress, and the BJP will govern here."
Another supporter also conveyed his joy over the Prime Minister's visit.
"PM Modi has accomplished a lot for Bengal, and we are excited for his arrival. We are grateful for all the development projects Bengal has received due to him," he told IANS.
The Prime Minister is set to speak at a public rally in Singur, a location that carries deep political and emotional significance due to the withdrawal of Tata Motors' Nano project in 2008.
BJP leaders anticipate that the Prime Minister will reference this event during his speech, particularly as the crucial Assembly elections loom later this year.
"Given all the initiatives the Modi-led government has undertaken for our state, we are optimistic that in the forthcoming Assembly elections, the BJP will establish a government here. We are hopeful that the project will resume, providing employment opportunities," another BJP supporter mentioned to IANS, referring to the halted industrial project in Singur.
Another attendee expressed high hopes for the Prime Minister's visit.
"We are confident that PM Modi will announce new initiatives for our state today. Just yesterday, we received the Vande Bharat Sleeper train, and we are thrilled as it will improve our travel. We hope PM Modi continues to work for our advancement," he said.
Reflecting on the Nano project controversy, another BJP supporter stated, "A Tata project was halted here by the Trinamool Congress. However, we anticipate that the BJP will take over and the project will be reinstated so that people can find work and our state can progress."
Amidst excitement, emotion, and political hopes, the procession of BJP workers and supporters continued towards the Singur ground, where public enthusiasm surrounding the Prime Minister's presence seemed to peak ahead of the rally.
The Nano project was rescinded from Singur due to a prolonged and often violent movement led by the Trinamool Congress, which was in opposition at the time, against land acquisition for the project.
The agitation was led by Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is currently the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
After the late Ratan Tata, then chairman of the Tata Group, announced the withdrawal of the Nano project from Singur during a press conference in Kolkata on October 3, 2008, the project was moved to Sanand in Gujarat, where PM Modi was serving as Chief Minister.
"I stated that I would not withdraw from Singur even if a gun was pointed at my head. But Ms. Banerjee just pulled the trigger," an emotional Ratan Tata had remarked on October 3, 2008, while revealing the decision to leave Singur.
Now, all eyes are on how Prime Minister Modi will bring up those events during his address later in the day at the political rally in Singur before the Assembly elections.
The West Bengal unit of the BJP has already commenced an extensive campaign linking the Prime Minister's Singur rally to the withdrawal of the Nano project in 2008.