Aware of the saffron outfit’s alleged “nuisance value” the Trinamool Congress Government is keeping close watch on the preparations for the proposed BJP Rath Yatras in December. According to the ruling party sources local leaders to the panchayat level have been “alerted about the kinds of mischief that can take place during the Yatras.”
Though the BJP will not be able to derive any special mileage from such yatras in Bengal, “our workers have been asked to keep a close vigil because this is an election year,” State Minister Firhad Hakim has said.
Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy has also said that the Yatra would be a failure in a politically seasoned State like Bengal.
“Earlier yatras were take out under the leadership LK Advani. But it was not successful in Bengal. This time also it will fail here as the people of Bengal do not like communal politics,” Roy said.
Another leader and Minister Sadhan Pandey said Bengal still cherished its renaissance values and would never allow outlandish philosophy to make home in State politics. “Bengal is a different ball game; that they will soon understand. People of this State will just reject such communal gimmicks,” Pandey said.
When asked whether the Government was keeping watch on elements who might try to ignite communal flare, a senior leader and Minister said “no mischief will be tolerated and those who commit them will be shown their places.”
With the 2019 general elections less than a year away the BJP has decided to take out three Rath Yatras in the State. These Yatras will be led by top BJP leaders including party president Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Sarwananda Sonowal and his UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath.
While Shah will lead his Yatra from Birbhum, the UP Chief Minister will start his Yatra from Ganga Sagar Islands. The third Yatra will start from Coochbehar in Northernmost Bengal bordering Assam and will be led by the Chief Minister of the neighbouring State.
“The Yatras will be taken out in protest against Trinamool Congress’ reign of terror, its appeasement policy and continuing infiltration through Bangladesh border,” BJP State leader Samik Bhattacharya said.
The Yatras will end up in Kolkata and eventually culminate into the proposed mega rally scheduled to be held at the historic Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The date of the rally which will be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has however not been given by the party.