Election between Modi's development and Mamata's destruction: Shah

Addressing the gathering at the launch of the fourth phase of 'Poriborton yatra' in Coochbehar, Home Minister Amit Shah took a jibe at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying, "Jai Shri Ram chant is an insult to Mamata Banerjee. Why? So many people take pride in this chant. Why do you get insulted by this slogan? Because you have to appease one section for votes." On the occasion of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary, Mamata had left the stage, shared with the Prime Minister, following Jai Shree Ram sloganeering.

"If slogans of Jai Shri Ram are not raised in India, then will they be raised in Pakistan?" he asked. "Mamata Banerjee will say Jai Shri Ram before the polls are over," he added.

The BJP started the Poriborton or Parivartan yatra on February 6th. As part of it, the party seeks to take out five rallies across the state ahead of the state elections.

Taking potshots at the incumbent Trinamool-led government, Shah claimed that the elections will be fought between Modi's vikas (development) and Mamata's vinaash (destruction). He also slammed that Mamata's government is not for 'jan kalyan' but 'bhatija kalyan' (benefit of the nephew).

"Had Dilip Ghosh not been there, she would have announced it long back. But she is scared now. I would urge people to choose Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development drive this time and reject Mamata's destructive politics," he said. Laying out post-poll promises, Shah promised a return to 'sonar Bangla' or the golden days of Bengal from history, for the next five years if elected in the upcoming elections. He also promised a centre for the Rajbongshi community's icons, prevention of border intrusion and conversion of North Bengal into a major tourist hub.

"Bengal worships Devi Durga, but for that, you have to go to the court. Bring us to power, and it will be a land of both Ram Navami and Durga Puja," Shah offered.