Kansa to ladle: Hyperboles rule the roost in election speeches

Today was the first phase of voting in TMC-ruled West Bengal and BJP-ruled Assam

Addressing a rally in Assam, CPI leader Kanhaiya Kumar compared BJP strategist Himanta Biswa Sarma with the mythological tyrant King Kansa of the Mahabharata, while from the BJP side Union Minister Jitendra Singh lambasted Congress for trying to "poison" the minds of people on issues like the CAA.

Incumbent Chief Minister of Assam Sarbanand Sonowal called Congress AIUDF alliance as an "enemy of the nation". In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked women supporters of the TMC to confront "goons" allegedly brought in by BJP with 'hata and khunti' (ladle and spatula)."

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday rued that Congress-led UDF has taken up the job of 'hangman' by placing a noose around the neck of institutions like KIIFB, which are being targeted by BJP-led government at Centre.

Combining his temple-hopping during the poll season with a plea to protect the 'pluralism' of the country, Rahul Gandhi on Saturday slammed RSS and BJP as he urged voters to cast their ballots against the saffron family that "has blocked all socio-economic progress".

On the day of the first phase of voting in TMC-ruled West Bengal and BJP-ruled Assam, Gandhi cautioned people against "divisive forces". The BJP upped the ante on issues of CAA and infiltration in the states.

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"India’s inherent pluralism is under attack by the RSS-BJP which has blocked all socio-economic progress. We have to rid our country of this divisive hurdle," Gandhi tweeted with the hashtag #Elections2021.

In Left-ruled Kerala, too, Gandhi said, "do not support an ideology that divides the country, that spreads hatred, anger. support an ideology that’s affectionate, that believes in brotherhood and in bringing people together. That is why you should support the UDF and the Congress."

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Gandhi also visited Lord Ayyappan temple in Erumeli in Kerala, a state where the BJP is trying hard to expand, riding on Hindutva issues. Congress, desperate to reclaim the middle ground of ideological space between Left and BJP, has off late tried hard to project itself as a party that cares for the interest of all communities while making concerted and deliberate moves to be seen as a party that cares for Hindu symbols.

Sharing glimpses of the roadshow at Chakkarakkal, Kerala, BJP chief JP Nadda took to Twitter claiming "people are fed up with the corruption of LDF Govt. My gratitude to the people of the state for showing their faith & support in huge numbers for BJP."