Rahul Gandhi Draws a Parallel between PM Modi and Mamata Banerjee at Malda

Guwahati: Congress President Rahul Gandhi drew a parallel between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee on Saturday.

Addressing a rally at Malda in West Bengal, the first since April 2016, Gandhi said that both Modi and Mamata Banerjee run their governments without consulting anyone, ignore the voice of the people and make false promises.

He said that Modi tells lies in his speeches and wherever he goes he tells one or the other lie.

Gandhi further targeted the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee and accused her of adopting the same tactics as of the left front of the old days. In his speech, Gandhi said, "Bengal is run by one person and she doesn't consult with anyone. She does what she wants to do and asked does Bengal don't have a voice? The Congress workers are beaten up here but you don't have to get scared. We are going to form the government at the Centre and then you will see what we will do."

Although Gandhi and Banerjee have been at the forefront of the opposition's attack on the Modi government on issues like unemployment, farm distress, demonetization and alleged malfeasance in Rafale deal, they have the understanding to present a united front against the BJP-led ruling alliance at the centre but they have taken pot shots at one another when they come to the state level.

Malda and Murshidabad have been the traditional stronghold of the Congress but the party suffered an embarrassment going into the Lok Sabha polls as the sitting MP from Malda North, Mausam Benazir Noor switched sides from the Congress to the ruling Trinamool Congress in the state.

Slamming Noor for betraying the party, Gandhi said to the people that they have always voted for the Congress. "This time one person has betrayed you. Remember this, don't forget that a former Congress candidate has betrayed you," Gandhi said.

He further said that she has betrayed you under pressure and because she is scared. It should be reminded her that one can't work through betrayal in Bengal.

Gandhi further appealed to the party workers in the rally to work with the aim of forming the next government in Bengal.

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