NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday linked his “Viksit Bharat” (developed India) pledge to what he described as a “resurgence in the East,” following the BJP’s landslide win in the West Bengal assembly elections.With this victory, the BJP is set to form its first government in West Bengal, replacing the Trinamool Congress that had been in power since 2011.Addressing BJP workers at the party’s national headquarters in Delhi, where celebrations were held to mark the win, PM Modi said, “The pledge of achieving Viksit Bharat@2047 is linked to the resurgence in the East. In the old times, the then Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha were the three pillars of greatness of Bharat.”“For achieving Viksit Bharat, we need to revive all three pillars of Ang, Banga and Kalinga. I am happy all these three states have reposed faith in the BJP to move ahead on the path of development,” he added, referring to the three states by their respective old names.He described Kalinga (Odisha) as a “maritime superpower,” Ang (Bihar) as a “powerhouse” of the cotton and silk trade, and Banga (West Bengal) as a cultural “epicentre.”The BJP formed its first government in Odisha in June 2024 and retained Bihar, where its NDA coalition secured a landslide victory in November last year.The prime minister’s remarks came days after he first invoked “Ang, Bang, Kalinga” at a poll rally in West Bengal.Addressing the rally in Barrackpore on April 27, PM Modi said, “This election of West Bengal, along with Bengal, is also an election to change the destiny of the entire eastern India, the whole eastern part of Hindustan. In the past, when India was prosperous, it had three strong pillars — “Ang”, “Bang”, and “Kalinga.” When these three pillars became weak, India’s capabilities also suffered a blow. Today, when India is moving forward with the goal of becoming developed, it is very necessary for Ang, Bang, and Kalinga to develop. India’s rise is incomplete without the rise of the East.”He further stated, “In the past, Bihar has made the lotus bloom, Odisha has made the lotus bloom, and now it’s Bengal’s turn. And the atmosphere I’m seeing here, the blooming of lotus in Bengal too is certain.”West Bengal voted on April 23 and 29, with each phase recording an unprecedented turnout of over 90%. Counting of votes was held on Monday.
