Addressing a public meeting in Siliguri, PM Modi slammed both the Left, Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for depriving the people of the region. “First the Left and later the TMC, never worked for the people in north Bengal. All they cared for was how to snatch lands from the poor. Over the years, the TMC, Left and Congress have deprived north Bengal. They deprived the people of development, divided them and the society as a whole,” he said. This was the Prime Minister’s fourth public meeting in Bengal in the last nine days.
Referring to the Gorkhaland issue, PM Modi said, “The BJP is always sensitive towards the struggles and challenges faced by our Gorkha brothers and sisters… The BJP has always worked to address their concerns. Now we are nearing a solution for them. The BJP will continue its efforts to fulfill your aspirations.”
Over the years, the north Bengal hills have witnessed several agitations over a separate statehood demand (Gorkhaland) and implementation of the Sixth Schedule which grants autonomy to a tribal-inhabited region.
The BJP, which has won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat since 2009, promised a permanent political solution to the Gorkhas. However, till now no concrete steps have been taken to address the primary demand of the people in the north Bengal hills.
PM Modi also slammed the TMC government in the state over corruption charges and the misconduct of its party leaders. “The TMC government here is not allowing people to get LPG connections under the Ujjwala scheme. Yesterday, we reduced the price of the LPG cylinder by Rs 100 to ease the lives of people. INDIA (alliance) parties are opposing free ration to the poor,” he said.
“The door to oust the anti-people TMC from Bengal will open from the Lok Sabha polls. The lotus must bloom in all LS seats in north Bengal,” added Modi.
“The corrupt and anti-women TMC government indulged in corruption in the public distribution system. A state minister is in jail for his involvement in the ration scam. The corrupt and anti-poor TMC government did not allow Ayushman Bharat Yojana to get implemented. They are looting the people at every step,” said PM Modi.
PM Modi unveiled development projects worth Rs 4,500 crore at a ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit West Bengal’ programme in Siliguri during his third visit to the state this month. These included multiple projects of railway line electrification that will benefit the people of northern West Bengal and nearby areas, an official statement said.
also flagged off a new passenger train service between Siliguri and Radhikapur.