The three BJP Rath Yatras, expected to crisscross Bengal ahead of next year’s general elections, received a green signal from the Calcutta high court today. The court scrapped the objections of the Mamata Banerjee’s government, which had claimed that the yatras could trigger communal tensions. The administration was asked to ensure there was no breach of law and order.  

The BJP has planned three “Save Democracy” rallies: One from Cooch Behar in the northern part of the state,one from Kakdwip, in the extreme southern part and one from Tarapith temple in Birbhum district.

Taken together, the rallies are expected to cover all 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bengal — one of the several non-BJP states, where the party hopes to expand its footprint.

BJP chief Amit Shah — who set the party a target of 22 seats in next year’s national elections — said permission for the yatras were refused as Ms Banerjee was “terrified” that the party would make inroads in the state. The BJP chief had also warned that “nobody can stop rath yatras in the state”.

Ms Banerjee’s close aide and Trinamool Congress lawmaker Derek O’Brien yesterday ridiculed the ambitions of the BJP, pointing out that it has only two seats in the state.

“PM and Amit Shah all about jumlas (political rhetoric). Jumlas on jobs, doubling farm incomes. New jumla today, that they would win over 20 seats in Bengal,” Mr O’Brien said.

The BJP, he said, “should work to protect the two seats they’ve got, otherwise they’d be reduced to zero… the roshogolla would have no sugar”.

The ruling Trinamool Congress would embark on a “pavitr yatra” (purification march) a day after BJP’s rath yatra, he added.