Rajnath Singh promises ‘handsome package’ for West Bengal if NDA comes to power

Kolkata: Seeking to reach out to Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, BJP president Rajnath Singh on Friday said that a "handsome package" would be given for the development of West Bengal if his party formed the next government.

The BJP chief's overture to Ms Banerjee came a few days after the two parties locked horns over BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's attack on the TMC chief on April 27 at a poll rally in Sreerampore in Hooghly district.

Mr Modi at the rally had questioned the high price of Rs. 1.80 crore paid for a particular painting of Mamata Banerjee while acknowledging that he respected art.

"I respect art. But who was the person who bought the painting for Rs. 1.80 crore?" Mr Modi had asked.

Mr Singh while addressing a meeting at Naihati said, "If you (TMC) want to fight, fight with the Congress. Why are you fighting with the BJP? Stop fighting with BJP."

"I assure you that our government would be formed in Delhi. For the development of West Bengal and to remove poverty and unemployment, whatever big package is necessary, we will give it," he said.

Mr Modi had also stated that she had broken the dreams of the people of Bengal. This infuriated TMC, which dubbed Mr Modi as "Butcher of Gujarat". The TMC also demanded that Mr Modi apologise publicly or face a defamation case for questioning the sale of Ms Banerjee's painting.

At another rally at Midnapore's Keshiyari, Mr Singh said in the event of his party coming to power, one of its foremost tasks would be to deal with illegal migration from Bangladesh.

"One of our priorities after the elections will be to locate the illegal migrants from Bangladesh and take action against them," the veteran leader said.