Bhubaneswar: Confident of BJP’s expanding eastern footprint, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday said after Anga (Bihar) and Kalinga (Odisha), it is now Banga’s (West Bengal) turn, as he campaigned in the poll-bound state.Campaigning in Birbhum district, the Odisha CM asserted that change was in the offing. “People will vote against corruption in Bengal and for the good governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Majhi said.Birbhum has a significant tribal presence, with Scheduled Tribes accounting for about 6.92% of the district’s population, according to the 2011 census. Santals form the predominant tribal community in the district, the same community to which Majhi belongs.After a roadshow at Rampurhat, Majhi told reporters that this was his second visit to Bengal for campaigning. “After campaigning in Purba Medinipur last month, I have come to Bengal again. From the ambience here, I can tell you that BJP will form the next government. The lotus will bloom this time,” he said.Majhi attended nomination rallies of BJP candidates Dhruba Saha (Rampurhat), Nikhil Banerjee (Hansan), Anil Singh (Nalhati) and Rinki Ghosh (Murarai).Responding to opposition to the special intensive revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bengal, Majhi said it was a constitutionally mandated process. “SIR was done in Bihar and many other states. It will also be done in Odisha and elsewhere. While no native Indian can be denied voting rights, infiltrators cannot be allowed to stay illegally. They cannot remain on the voter list or in the country,” he said.Commenting on the gherao of seven judicial officers during SIR in Malda district on Wednesday, Majhi alleged administrative failure in Bengal. “This reflects corruption in the state. The administration and police do not seem to be working as per law and are acting at the behest of the party in power. People have realised this and they will vote for development and against corruption in Bengal,” he said.
