How Modi reached out to Mamta in his Kolkata speech

By our correspondent, New Delhi, 9 April 2013

One of the eye-catching parts of Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s today speech in Kolkata was his subtle attempt to reach out to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee. Modi in his speech didn’t speak a word that may disappoint Mamta. In fact he said, he hoped present government in Bengal would fulfill aspirations of people.

“Today the Gujarat that you see, you discuss, is thanks to our efforts of 12-13 years, and not just two years(Mamata Banerjee is in power in West Bengal for last two years). In Gujarat, it took 12 years to fill the pits dug by the Congress. But in Bengal, you had 32 years period before someone newer given responsibility. God knows how long it will take to fill the pits. And I am sure that these days efforts are in direction to level the pits, and aspirations of people here will be fulfilled,” Modi said.

Modi in his speech also talked about biased behavior of UPA government in centre with UPA and non UPA ruled states. This is exactly what Mamta speaks about at various forums.

When asked a question on what would be his advise to the state of Bengal for tourism development in Bengal, Modi played safe, and rather than advising Mamta he replied that he was in Bengal as a student and not as a teacher to teach something.

Modi praised Bengal in most of the initial and concluding portion of his speech in reference to its important in east India and its glorious history.