KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he was “confident” of a “historic change” in Bengal after the elections and that he would be back in the state to attend the swearing-in of a BJP govt.“I sensed the mood of the people of Bengal wherever I went. I am confident that I have to be present here at the oath-taking ceremony after May 4 (the day the assembly poll results will be announced),” Modi said while addressing a rally in Barrackpore, his last campaign stop before the second phase of the assembly polls on Wednesday.India’s prosperity, he said, is incomplete without “purvoday” (rise of the east). Bengal is heading towards a “historic change” and the polls would “alter the fate of the entire eastern India”, the PM said. “Keeping Bengal safe is my duty. I will never shy away from my responsibility.”In an attempt to establish BJP’s historical proximity to Bengal, Modi recounted the rise of Jana Sangh, his party’s ideological precursor, in the state. “The presidency region of Bengal gave birth to Jana Sangh and elected Syama Prasad Mookerjee as an MP. The BJP govt in Bengal will fulfill his vow of ending the perils of refugees,” Modi said.Infiltrators, leave Bengal and India before Apr 29: Modi In an attempt to strike a chord with the community, Modi visited the Matua temple in Thakurnagar and shared on hisSeeking to underscore BJP’s commitment towards protecting Hindus persecuted in neighboring countries, he said in Thakurnagar, “Jana Sangh (BJP’s ideological precursor) stood firm with refugees. Syama Prasad Mookerjee was considered to be their spokesperson.” In the same breath, he spoke against Trinamool’s “appeasement politics” and vowed to drive out infiltrators.“I am warning the infiltrators to leave Bengal and India before April 29. Otherwise, each of them will be driven out after May 4,” he said.Referring to the first phase of the polls on April 23, which saw a record turnout of more than 93%, Modi said, “TMC’s pride was destroyed in the first phase. The second phase will ensure BJP’s massive victory. We have to win in each booth and there is no room for complacency.” Pointing at the large turnout of women in the first phase, Modi said women were deceived the most during Trinamool’s term in office.Referring to the I-PAC issue, he said, “Trinamool and the state govt tried to create hindrances in the investigation by a central agency. There were attempts to destroy evidence. But Supreme Court had recently given a strict order in the matter.”In Kolkata, before joining the road show, Modi offered prayers at the Thanthania Kalibari.
