Massive Mamata rally in Kolkata: Scathing attack on BJP, Centre and Modi

Jignesh Mevani and Hardik Patel from Gujarat, Farooq and Omar Abdullah from J & K, N. Chandrababu Naidu from Andhra Pradesh, HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy from Karnataka, Arvind Kejriwal from Delhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Satish Mishra from UP, Tejashwi Yadav from Bihar, Sharad Pawar from Maharashtra and MK Stalin from Tamil Nadu were among those who turned up at the Brigade Parade Ground in Calcutta on Saturday.

Congress veterans Mallikarjun Kharge and Abhishek Manu Singhvi represented the party while Kharge read out a message from Sonia Gandhi. Congress President Rahul Gandhi had earlier written a letter of support to Mamata Banerjee.

The show of opposition’s strength and solidarity began with recitation of poetry and singing in the morning and the speeches took up the better part of four hours before the host Mamata Banerjee brought down the curtains with a call for ‘BJP Hatao’. With the rally, the first of several planned in the next few weeks, the opposition launched its campaign for the general election.

This is what some of the speakers said:

"I want to give a warning to the Prime Minister that the Citizenship Bill should be withdrawn. If not, India will not be a suitable place for people of the northeast. I appeal to all regional parties of northeast to cut all association with the BJP.": Lalduhawma ( Zoram Nationalist Party in Mizoram)

We have to remove BJP and we have to fight election together. This EVM is a 'chor' machine. We all need to go to the Election Commission and ensure that ballot is brought back. For many years, Women Reservation Bill is pending in Parliament and they have passed Triple Talaq Bill but not women's reservation bill.: Farooq Abdullah

"As crisis looms from farmers to our borders, farmers under crisis, political institutions are being undermined. Upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be not an ordinary one. This rally marks an important attempt fight arrogant Modi government.": Sonia Gandhi (Message read out)

"I got delayed because of the blessings of Amit Shah and Modi ji. My father has been jailed owing to a political controversy. You can be chowkidaar (watchman) but people are thanedar (policemen). Country is in tatters and we are all acting like a needle to sew it with different threads.": Tejashwi Yadav

For five years the BJP has been ruling the country. The people feel that they have been cheated. Institutions are being targeted. Industries are closing down, people are losing jobs. We have a responsibility of removing them from power. Many, particularly those from BJP say that all of us on stage will not remain united. I want to assure that we are not here to become Prime Minister. I have been Chief Minister for four terms, been Minister at Centre, I don't want anything but to see interest of people are protected.": Sharad Pawar

"I have not seen a more lively and well attended gathering. We are here to present a new leadership to the country. The mood of the nation is clear. It is 'change'. People ask me that being with the BJP, why do I speak against the party. I am answerable to the Janata of Bharat and not to the Bharatiya Janata Party. Yashwant Sinha was saying that after today's rally I will be expelled from the party. In the government of Atal Behari Vajpayee there was democracy now there is tanasahi (dictatorship). Demonetisation and implementation of GST democracy destroyed the country.: Shatrughan Sinha

Modi raises that stable government is necessary for running country. We have to create confidence among the people of the country that we can give stable government. Mamata ji has held the first mahagathbandhan meeting. Even coalition government can do better than what BJP government has done.: HD Deve Gowda

"We want to unite India, BJP wants to divide India. This PM is a publicity PM, we want a performing PM. Earlier the economic growth rate was better. Because of low growth jobs are not being generated. We are warning the Centre if they want to dislodge the government in Karnataka they will pay a heavy price. EVM is a big fraud. No other nation has the EVM so we have to go back to paper ballot. The downfall of BJP has started. In 2019 there will be a new Prime Minister.: N Chandrababu Naidu

Our Democratic government is headed by anti-Democratic leaders. Demonetization was like digging up a hill only to find rats. Union government has turned blind to the interests of the people. Federal system being jeopardised. (Refers to loan waiver in Karnataka, said that banks agreed but later backed out.) Government of Karnataka is waiving the loans but banks are sending notices to farmers. On one hand BJP a makes resolution to fight corruption but it is offering cash to legislators of JDS and Congress. This is a mockery of democracy. Let us show that BJP is a paper tiger.": HD Kumaraswamy

We have one responsibility that the BJP should draw a blank in every State. This is a historical rally and I thank Mamataji for that." : Akhilesh Yadav

The next general elections will be like the next war of independence. All of us have one goal, to remove BJP and send Modi back to his home. Irrespective of political affiliations we have to be united. If we are united Modi will lose. A few months ago, Modi used to say he has no Opposition. Since we have come together, he is feeling scared and now he feels that he is facing a sure defeat.: M.K. Stalin