There is no Modi wave in West Bengal and it is a part of the corporate plot to derail inclusive growth, said Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal. According to the CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, a few corporate houses are trying to influence the media and create a hype to promote Narendra Modi.
Brash capitalism The idea is to “maximise profit” by creating a rosy picture of development, leading to “brash capitalism” where the rich becomes richer. This coming together of corporates and the RSS is a dangerous trend, he said.
“It is very frightening. Growth should be inclusive and not flow from the top to the bottom. There is no Modi wave in West Bengal. Butsome corporates are trying to influence the media,” he told press persons during an interaction. During the tenure of the Congress-led UPA, the number of industrialists with a net worth of ₹5,000 crore and above went up to 23. And this cannot be a model for growth and development. “People of Bengal will not vote for a person who comes brandishing a sword,” Bhattacharjee said referring to Modi.
Reiterating the need for a Third Front at the Centre, Bhattacharjee said both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led governments should be kept at bay in the interest of the nation. As a result, there is a need for a third alternative that works on an agenda of inclusive growth.
“We are in discussions with 11 parties who have a representation in the Parliament. The idea is to stitch together a Third Front that will work on some common agenda such as distribution of land to the poor, increased spending on education and health, and oppose FDI and crony capitalism,” he added.
He ruled out any possible tie-up or outside support to the Congress.
No support to TMC He even categorically ruled out involving the Trinamool Congress in the Third Front.
“We will neither support nor seek the support of the TMC, this I can categorically tell you,” the former Chief Minister said. Ideologically, the TMC supports the BJP and given a chance, it will do so again, he said.