Nandigram, Oct 6 (IANS): As voting for the by-elections in West Bengal kicked off on Tuesday, Minister Dilip Ghosh expressed confidence that the BJP’s winning margin would increase in Nandigram, while adding that Rejinagar could witness a change for the first time.
Speaking to reporters, Ghosh said, “Regarding the by-election, Nandigram is a seat already won by the BJP, and our margin will increase there. For the first time, a change can happen in Rejinagar as well.”
He said the voting pattern in Bengal, where minority votes traditionally did not go to the BJP, was changing, as the public now wants to vote for development.
“The trend that was going on in Bengal, where minority votes didn’t go to the BJP, is changing. Today, the development of the country and the state under the current government is benefiting the minority community as well. They have received security, their rights are protected, and they are also thinking about whom they should stand with. They want to go with development. They have seen corruption and oppression. Therefore, I feel votes will come towards the BJP and something new is going to happen,” Ghosh said.
Ghosh also reacted to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and said the matter was before the Supreme Court.
“The matter is in the Supreme Court. Even earlier, regarding SIR, the Supreme Court had given a decision based on which the work has been carried out. But those who lose just need an excuse, so they are raising all these useless points,” he said.
The remarks came a day after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant clarified during a Supreme Court hearing that the court had not approved any modified version of Form 6, which is used for inclusion of names in electoral rolls. The court also sought records concerning the changes to the form.
Ghosh further highlighted programmes being organised to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and promote the government’s achievements.
“Modi ji’s birthday was on September 17, and for a month, from September to October, as part of the ‘Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan’, the Central and state governments are taking their achievements to the people. As party workers, we are organising various programmes to highlight his dream of a developed India by 2047 and take the public along with us,” he said.
Ghosh added that such programmes would continue in West Bengal until October 7 due to the commencement of Durga Puja, while programmes in other parts of the country would continue until October 17.
“Today, Narendra Modi is a world-renowned leader. There is no doubt about his leadership and vision. The country has benefited, and many nations across the world wish they had a leader like Modi ji,” he said.
