3.40 pm: Modi takes on both Mamata and the CPM
Modi slammed the CPM government and the Mamata Banerjee government together, though he went a little soft on the latter. "I congratulate you for having overthrown a regime that sucked the blood out of Bengal, that destroyed its 'sonar Bangla' reputation," he said.
He then spoke about 'poriborton'. "You called for poriborton (change). Have you seen poriborton around you? Can you see the change, do you feel the change?" he asked, taking an indirect dig at the Mamata Banerjee government.
3.21 pm: Modi geets Bengal in broken Bengali
The way to a Bengali's heart is partly through the stomach, yes, but also through a few words spoken in Bengali when it is least expected. Narendra Modi got the feeling perfectly right as he began his address with a few lines in Bengali. Reading out from a paper, Modi greeted Bengal and said that the land is known for its 'roshogollo' (not roshogolla), sondesh, dhaak and Durga Puja. "The country knows Bengal for its intelligence and sweet nature," he said.
He then resorted to drawing parallels between Gujarat and Bengal - and no he didn't speak about the mutual predilection for sugar. In fact, he turned to one name, which is a sure shot crowd puller in Bengal - Rabindranath Tagore. "Guruji's brother spent a long time in Bengal and helped in the development of Ahmedabad," he said, though he didn't name the said brother.
He also added that Subhas Chandra Bose's brother's family lives in Gujarat and has had a huge role to play in the progress of Gujarat.
2.00 pm: Modi to address rally in Kolkata
After two massive rallies in the Hindi heartland of Uttar Pradesh, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is set to address a rally in Kolkata his first ever rally in the eastern state.
The BJP, a minor party in West Bengal, is expecting at least 5 lakh people at the Brigade Parade ground venue, to outdo Chief Minister and TMC Chief Mamata Banerjee's rally held last week.
BJP's PM candidate Narendra Modi. AFP
"We don't want dynastic rule, nor do we want a government of rioters at the Centre. We want a people's government," Banerjee had said at her rally on 30 January, further saying that the TMC would go it alone in the 2014 polls.
Besides attacking the Gandhis, Modi's speech will be closely watched for his remarks on Mamata Banerjee. In Uttar Pradesh, Modi had said, "Mamata fights for Bengal; what do (UP leaders) Akhilesh, Mayawati do for you?"
Modi is also likely to raise the issue of declassification of secret files on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's death.
On Tuesday, BJP had criticised the state government for alleged non-cooperation with Gujarat security officials. The Army denied the BJP permission to land Modi's helicopter at the Race Course ground in the city, which the BJP alleged was a "conspiracy" by the Centre.
West Bengal BJP President Rahul Sinha said that it had been planned to bring the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate by helicopter from the NSC Bose International Airport to avoid traffic snarls.
"But permission was denied at the last moment. It is a conspiracy by the UPA government," he alleged.
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