TMC leaders worry about burning bridges with Modi

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders are worried about the possible future implications of the ugly fight between Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi, and West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee.

Both parties have been trading charges of corruption against each other even before polls were announced. But now the war of words, between TMC and BJP has turned personal, ugly and utterly divisive.

Those within the TMC are worried that burning bridges with Modi, the man who is the front runner in this electoral battle, can cost the party in the days ahead.

“Without the support of the central government the state government will not be able to run the show. Burning bridges with Modi by attacking in such personal life was not required specially if he becomes PM,” said a TMC candidate with repeated request of anonymity.

“As a chief minister you have to have a working relationship with the prime minister. Even if you oppose him politically a certain level of decency needs to be maintained. Mamata should not have gone with the flow,” he added.

TMC strategists worry that even people of rural Bengal who probably have not heard about Modi but will surely now do as Banerjee herself is talking about him.

“The best way is to ignore such comments, or reply with specific data to blunt opponents charges. Name calling actually helps the opponent get milage. However, some of our partymen decided to go upto the point of no return, and fall into BJP’s trap,” said another state minister.

“Just 10 of the 42 seats in West Bengal have gone to polls so far. Before this there is no need to give further publicity to Modi,” he added.

The Saradha chit-fund scam which surfaced in April last year, has reappeared as a major issue this elections, where Enforcement Directorate is on the verge of interrogating state government minister for their alleged role. It has already questioned TMC candidate from Balurghat, Arpita Ghosh, about her involvement in the group’s media business. It has issued notices to several persons close to Mamata.

Till date, none of the investigating agencies have been able to trace the money.

Modi who is expected to campaign in West Bengal again before May 4 is expected to return Banerjee the favour for her choice of words.

“If Modi become PM, and even if TMC wins all the 42 seats, it will not make any difference, since BJP is not dependent on West Bengal in its bid to capture power in Delhi. Whatever additional seats it wins, it will be a bonus,” said another TMC leader, who admits of an undercurrent in the state.

Analyst believe that by attacking Modi, Banerjee was actually ruling out any possibility of tie-up with the National Democratic Alliance, post elections, which she believes will help her to win big in the state, given her strong support amongst the minorities in the state.