Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he had a “spiritual experience” while campaigning in West Bengal for over a month for the two-phase Assembly elections, describing his roadshows and rallies as a “pilgrimage”.
In an audio message and open letter to the people of West Bengal on the final day of campaigning for the second and final phase of the state elections, Modi expressed his gratitude to the residents and expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form the next government, saying it will “celebrate the oath-taking ceremony with the people”.
“Despite addressing many rallies in the sweltering heat, I did not feel even the slightest fatigue during this election campaign in West Bengal. These rallies, these roadshows… I felt as if I was on a pilgrimage,” he said.
“Whenever I go among Maa Kali devotees… Maa Kali itself may still fill me with constant energy,” the Prime Minister said.
Separately, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended two roadshows before offering prayers at Gangasagar Island in South 24 Parganas district.
“Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th of this month, and don’t worry about Didi’s (Mamata Banerjee) goons. The Election Commission has deployed civilian police forces in every nook and corner, and I am telling you that even though the BJP has come to power after the elections, the central forces will remain here for another 60 days,” he said.
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In 2021, the BJP won 59 of the 152 seats in 16 districts in the first phase, but only 18 of the 142 seats in the second phase. The second phase is widely seen as the deciding factor in the West Bengal elections because Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress controls these seven regions.
“To prepare for the consecration ceremony of Pran Pratista at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in January 2024, I undertook an 11-day spiritual journey and visited shrines and temples across India. In this election, I experienced the same feeling. It felt like a visit to a temple,” Modi said at his last BJP rally in North 24 Parganas, hours before the election campaign ended.
The Prime Minister said he was confident of victory. “It is my responsibility to save Bengal from a big challenge. This is part of my destiny. I will not back down,” he said. “In 1857, Barrackpore witnessed India’s first freedom struggle. Today, the slogan ‘Paltanu Durkar’ (Change is Necessary) resonates with the people,” Modi said, referring to India’s first war of independence. “This is my last rally. The mood I saw among the people of Bengal gives me a strong belief that I should return for the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP government after May 4,” he added.
“This is an election to change the fate of the entire East and Northeast. In the past, India had three pillars: Anga (Bihar), Banga (Bengal) and Kalinga (Odisha). The weaker they are, the more India suffers. Today, as India marches towards development, it is necessary for Anga, Panja and Kalinga to be strong. This is not possible unless the sun shines over the entire East,” Modi said.
“In 2013, even before I became Prime Minister, I had said that eastern India will move forward and so will the nation. The lotus (BJP’s electoral symbol) has bloomed in Bihar and Odisha. The weather tells me it will definitely flourish in Bengal. Anga, Panja and Kalinga have put their trust in the BJP,” he added.
Modi spoke about the BJP’s election promises – a monthly cash assistance of $100,000 $3,000 for women and the unemployed, and implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission for State Servants and various welfare schemes – but he focused on his personal sentiments in his final campaign speech.
Later in the day, Modi wrote an open letter to voters.
“I have drawn strength from faith, inspiration from the lives of great Bengali personalities, and energy from the love showered on me by millions of you. This is a spiritual experience that I can never forget. I have toured every corner of this nation over four decades as a BJP worker. Carrying out my duties during elections was part of those journeys. I never cared if it was hot or cold, if it was day or night. Since I left home, I have found peace in the company of people. You are my family,” he said. “This is a historic moment and Bengal will bring about a historic change in the 150th year of Vande Matram by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, who was born here,” Modi added.
He said: “I noticed during the campaign that none of the TMC leaders mentioned their slogan ‘Ma Mati Manush’ (Mother, Land and People) even once despite coming to power by raising it. None of them submitted a report on the government’s performance over 15 years. They did nothing for the mother or her security, did nothing for the farmers and youth and forgot the people.”
