Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off his West Bengal Assembly poll campaign officially yesterday  by lashing out against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and promising a "Sonar Bangla" (Golden Bengal) if the BJP is voted to power. He attacked the state government for allegedly letting down the people who had placed much expectation in it. 

"Bengal trusted Didi for Pariborton (change). She broke the trust," he said at a massive Kolkata rally.

"I have come here to make you believe in 'Asol Poribortan' (real change), believe in Bengal's development, in changing Bengal's situation, in increasing investment and industries in Bengal, and in the reconstruction of Bengal," Modi said at the city's Brigade Parade Ground.

He later turned to the ruling party's latest favourite slogan, "Khela hobe", which means "let's play". The PM sought to use the slogan to indicate that the Trinamool's "game is over" now and asked people to vote for the BJP.  

"Tolabaazi (extortion), syndicate, commission cut! You have done so many scams that a 'Corruption Olympics' game can be organised. You have played with the hard-earned money of the people and their lives," he said.

The PM, whose party has been accused by many for dividing India by religious lines, said the divisive politics of TMC is behind the rise of BJP.

Veteran Bengali actor Mithun Chakraborty yesterday joined BJP and shared the dais with Modi at the mega rally.

The BJP is pulling out all stops to defeat West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress which has been ruling the state for the last decade.

This was Modi's first visit to West Bengal since the state's Assembly poll dates were announced last week, although he has already been here at least three times in the past few months. At least 20 more rallies are planned for him in the state till the polls are over.

Elections to West Bengal's 294-seat Assembly are scheduled to be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29 and the results will be declared on May 2.