Modi for BJP's panchayat polls in Bengal

Kolkata, Dec 23 (UNI) West Bengal BJP plans to use incumbent Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to launch the campaign for the panchayat elections in the state.

BJP State General Secretary Rahul Sinha today said, "We consider the victory of BJP and Narendra Modi as a pointer to what will happen in the general elections in the country." "The victory in Gujarat was against the concerted effort of the UPA government, led by Congress and its ally CPI(M), to play the communal card in the state," he said.

"But their failure is a proof of people's support to development which was the main agenda for BJP in the state," he said.

Terming Modi as the "Vikas Purush" (Renaissance Man) of Gujarat, he said, "The state BJP congratulates him and hopes that BJP will scale bigger heights starting with Gujarat." Buoyed by Modi's victory, Rahul Sinha said, "West Bengal BJP will try to get Mr Modi to launch their election campaign for the panchayat polls slated mid-2008." Asked about strengthening the alliance with Mamata Banerjee's All India Trinamool Congress, he said, "It is upto her. We welcome all the political parties to form an united opposition to defeat CPI(M)-led Left Front in the state. If people join us they are welcomed, or else we will go alone." UNI