Kolkata: The state Congress leaders may have stayed away from the 'United India' rally at the Brigade Parade Ground called by Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee but at the national level, the Congress rendered full support for the TMC chairperson.
The fact became evident with the presence of two top-level national leaders addressing the rally in the city and hailing Banerjee's tireless efforts for bringing all parties opposed to the BJP under a single umbrella. "The clouds are clearing and the rainbow is appearing. We may have different colours but you should remember that seven colours combine to form a rainbow. Now, the time is ripe to form this rainbow to oust the BJP from the Centre. Mamataji's effort deserves special mention in this regard. We have to unite to form a new Bharat," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.
The Congress leader also voiced support for Banerjee's logic of one party in one seat. "If the vote gets divided, then the BJP will have advantage. The main objective of this united forum of Mamataji is to ensure that there should be no splitting of votes," he maintained.
Mallikarjun Kharge while addressing the rally read out the message of Sonia Gandhi. "This is not an ordinary election. The crisis looms over farmers and at the borders. The fishermen are under loss and youths are unemployed. Our country is under a lot of stress. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be an election to restore people's faith in democracy. I wish all the success," the message read.
"The democracy and secularism of the country are at stake in the hands of Modi and Amit Shah. They are turning a blind eye to the welfare of farmers and are bent upon providing benefits to the corporates."
In the end, Kharge said: "Manzil door hain, rasta kathin hain, phir bhi pahuchna hain. Dil mile na mile, kamse kam haath mila kar chalo (The destination is far and the road is difficult but still, we have to reach there. Whether our hearts meet or not, we should walk holding hands)."