On Saturday, state Industries Minister Shashi Panja said, “The Prime Minister addressed a rally in Krishnanagar, unfortunately with certain false facts. You have deprived 59 lakh people in Bengal of MGNREGA wages and that is the truth. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is giving them money. You deprived them. UP has the most number of fake job cards but UP is never ‘deprived’ because it is a BJP-ruled state. The people of Bengal are watching.”

Responding to PM Modi’s attack on the TMC over allegations of corruption, Panja said, “May we ask why he shared the stage with Narada-tainted BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari?”

Speaking along similar lines, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, “The people of Bengal were eager to know what the Prime Minister would say about the dues owed to the state under MGNREGA or PMAY project. But the Prime Minister failed to give any answer. The people are listening and will reply to the BJP in the ballot box.”

Newly elected TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose said, “Respected Modiji, you are again giving lecture on Narishakti. Let me enlighten you on some facts. In the general election 2019, TMC gave 40% tickets to women. Out of 42 constituencies, 17 candidates were women. What is your track record? In the Assembly polls of 2023, you gave less than 12% tickets to women.”

However, the CPI(M) criticised PM Modi over his “soft stand” towards the TMC and alleged that the BJP had an understanding with the ruling party in the state.

CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty said, “The Prime Minister today came to know that the TMC transformed scheme into scam. We have been saying this for a long time. Central agencies started inquiry but midway they stopped their investigation, why? Do you have any understanding with Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee? We have heard that on Friday a Modi-Mamata meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere. That means a final understanding… (has been arrived at). But the people of Bengal are not fools. They understand everything.”