TMC govt replaced ‘lal salaam’ with ‘scam salaam’: BJP

While it had been touted as a non-political rally and no BJP flags were sported, speakers didn’t mince words and hit out at the TMC.

Participants at BJP rally in Kolkata on Tuesday.

The BJP rally of intellectuals against the alleged involvement of TMC leaders in the multi-crore Saradha scam and cross-border terrorism, failed to attract intellectuals other than those who have already joined the party. Veteran journalist M J Akbar who had joined the party earlier this year and was appointed the spokesperson, however soun-ded optimistic: “I am sure they will join us with time,” he said on the sidelines of the event.

BJP leader Jayprakash Majumder however said, “Who is an intellectual? Were those lightmen and karate instructors who were seen in the last rally (referring to the TMC rally on November 28) intellectuals? In that regard, ours is a bigger hit as over 2,000 persons have walked this rally all the way from College Square to Esplanade.”

While it had been touted as a non-political rally and no BJP flags were sported, speakers didn’t mince words and hit out at the TMC. “This rally is for the millions of youths of Bengal who have been deprived of jobs and a respectable life. During the 34 years of CPM rule, they gave everyone a ‘lal salaam’, the TMC government is giving us a ‘Saradha salaam’ and ‘scam salaam’. Bengal wants another change now. A real one this time,” Akbar said in his speech.

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Actor Joy Banerjee said he was protesting against the attack on democracy. “Freedom of speech has been taken away from us. All who are walking today are BJP supporters and in 2016, there would be BJP coming to power in Bengal,” he said.

Kumar Sanu joins BJP

Playback singer Kumar Sanu on Tuesday joined BJP in the presence of party president Amit Shah, saying he wanted to serve the poor and claimed that a lot could be done under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Sanu had joined BJP in 2004 also when the party was led by Venkaiah Naidu, but later quit the party. “I am a big fan of Modi ji…Only Modi can save India and take us forward,” he said.

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