PM Modi sounds BJP poll bugle in Bengal: Mamata govt enabling infiltration, hindering development

Indian Express

14 hours ago

Laying the ground for the BJP's campaign for next year's Assembly elections in West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lashed out at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in the state, accusing it of enabling 'infiltration' and hindering the state's development through corruption and violence.
Addressing a massive BJP rally in Durgapur, where he launched several development projects worth over Rs 5,000 crore, the Prime Minister said: 'The TMC is actively helping infiltrators. I want to say this very clearly that those who are not the citizens of India and have entered illegally will be dealt with fairness in accordance with the Constitution.'
The Prime Minister's charge against the TMC government of aiding infiltration by providing fake identity cards comes amid reports of Bengali-speaking migrants being detained and deported to Bangladesh from some of the BJP-ruled states. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been consistently and forcefully hitting out at the BJP and the Central government over the issue, and linking it to Bengali identity.
Emphasising the BJP's commitment to Bengali identity, Modi said, 'For the BJP, Bengali 'ashmita' (pride) is supreme. Wherever there is a BJP government, Bengalis are respected.'
Seeking to blunt the TMC's charge on harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in BJP-ruled states, Modi said hsi government at the Centre had conferred classical language status to Bangla, which parties like the Congress, the Left, and the TMC 'ignored' despite being in power at the Centre.
He also began his half-an-hour-long speech by invoking Goddesses Kali and Durga. 'Jai Maa Kali… Jai Maa Durga,' he said amid chants of 'Modi, Modi'.
The Prime Minister also hit out at the Mamata Banerjee-led government over the issue of law and order and cases of crimes against women.
Referring to last year's rape and murder of a junior medical doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and the recent alleged rape of a student at a law college, Modi said: 'The injustice being done to the women of Bengal by this Maa-Mati-Manush government of Trinamool makes the heart heavy, and there is great anger (among people)… This land belongs to Dr Kadambini Ganguly, who was the first modern woman doctor. Today is her birthday. But women are not safe even in hospitals in West Bengal. You have seen how the Trinamool tried to hide the criminals after the atrocities on the woman doctor and blamed the victim instead. Before Bengal could overcome this pain, it saw another one. This time, in a college. The accused again had a TMC connection. Big Trinamool leaders and ministers were blaming the woman victim. There are many such examples. Bengal must be freed from this cruelty.'
The Prime Minister's sharp attack on the TMC government also extended to the economic and educational landscape of the state.
Alleging that Trinamool leaders collect 'Gunda Tax', he said that it was the primary reason why industrialists were shying away from investing in the state, forcing companies to leave and leaving the youth jobless.
'Trinamool's Gunda Tax is hindering investment in Bengal. The government here has allowed its leaders to openly commit corruption. That is why many companies have left West Bengal. The youth are leaving West Bengal. They have to go to other states even for small jobs. Durgapur, Asansol, Bardhaman were once the centres of industry, but now the industry is not growing; they are being closed down,' he said.
'The intelligent people of Bengal know that this era is the era of new technology. Bengal's enterprises also want new technology. Today's inauguration of projects (of the Centre) is part of the change…'
'What is happening in West Bengal is very worrying… Only the Trinamool government is an obstacle in the path of Bengal's development. The day the Trinamool government falls, Bengal will move at a new speed. Real change will only happen if the Trinamool government goes,' he said.
Referring to the recent communal violence in Murshidabad district, the PM said such violence and 'partisan policing' create an environment where 'no hope of justice' exists, making investment in the state impossible. 'Here, the state government cannot protect the lives of people and shops. That's why investors are worried,' he said.
Alleging 'systemic corruption' in the state, the Prime Minister said: 'Be it primary education or higher education, the situation is the same everywhere. Thousands of teachers have lost their jobs because of grassroots corruption. As a result, not only are jobless families facing problems, the present and the future of the students are uncertain too. The situation is such that the courts are saying that there is systemic corruption in the state. The Trinamool has put the present and future of Bengal in crisis.'
He also alleged that the TMC government was 'obstructing' Centrals funds for welfare schemes and tribals to come to the state, and said: 'Once the BJP comes, every person in West Bengal will get the benefits of all these schemes.'
Pitching the BJP as the alternative, the Prime Minister asked the people of West Bengal to give his party a chance, citing the party's success in other neighbouring states like Assam, Tripura, and Odisha.
'A developed Bengal is Modi's guarantee. Developed Bengal is BJP's resolve. We want to restore the lost glory of Durgapur. For this, new investment is needed. This requires new investment. We need education and technology for the youth. But it won't happen as long as the TMC government is here,' he said, adding
'Bangla bodol chaaye, unnoyan chaye' (Bengal wants change and development). –
'BJP is determined to bring West Bengal out of the crisis. Bengal needs a government that will guarantee peace and security. BJP is moving forward with this resolve. I see change, new enthusiasm among the people … Together we all have to bring change,' he said.
To supporters who held his portraits at the venue, Modi said, 'The soil of West Bengal is loving. I will accept these portraits from little children who have drawn pictures for me, and I will write a letter to them. I will request the SPG to take those pictures. You all have waited for a long time. It has rained quite a bit in between. You have endured that too.'
Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics.
With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences.
Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More