Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, calling it a “nirmam sarkaar (cruel government)”, and declared that a “storm of poribortan (change)” is sweeping the state, which goes to polls in two weeks.
PM Modi, who is on his second visit to the state after the election dates were announced, made these remarks while addressing a rally in Haldia in Purba Medinipur district. He is also scheduled to hold rallies in Asansol and Suri.
Modi said that five years ago, Nandigram showed the way when BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari won against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “Nandigram showed the path of change. Now, all of West Bengal is walking on that path. The miracle that happened in Nandigram will happen in Bhabanipur [the constituency where Banerjee and Adhikari are contesting from] and across Bengal,” he said. “This is not an ordinary election—it is about bringing back the pride of Bengal to strengthen the foundation for a Viksit Bengal. The first step is to remove this ‘nirmam’ government. It is very important that they go,” he added.
Pointing out that India today was progressing at a fast pace, Modi said, “But while the country is moving ahead, the TMC’s nirmam sarkar is pushing Bengal back.”
Speaking about West Bengal’s contribution to national development, Modi said, “Years ago, this was a booming port city, with trade from all over the world. But in recent years, factories in Haldia have only had locks. There was a time when people from across the country came here for work; now, the youth go to Andaman, Odisha, and other states in search of work. Under the TMC government, infiltrators have prospered, and rioters and criminals have flourished. TMC politics is based on fear. They believe in instilling fear…the TMC runs syndicates where nothing works without cut money and commission.”
PM Modi alleged that TMC ministers’ hatred toward him had deprived the state of central schemes. “Bengal will benefit not from TMC’s hatred but from PM and CM working together. So, a BJP double-engine government is necessary, as it will make Bengal self-reliant in fisheries and seafood. The BJP has created a fisheries ministry, a separate budget, and insurance of Rs 5 lakh for fishermen. If the BJP forms the government, all central schemes will be implemented swiftly, benefiting potato farmers, betel farmers…,” he added.
Talking about women’s safety, PM Modi claimed that women were not safe under the TMC rule, adding that in the last 15 years, crimes against women have risen and punishment rates have gone down. He guaranteed to remove the fear spread by the TMC and restore faith in the law.
“The BJP will remove fear and bring back faith in law. Under the BJP rule, the government system will be accountable. All corruption (cases) and scams and all crimes against women, all rape cases…files will reopen. All those who have committed corruption under the TMC rule…their place will be in jail—even if it is a minister. Those who are refugees will get all their rights, but those who are infiltrators will not be allowed to stay in Bharat,” he added.
Modi also spoke about the potential of fish farming in Bengal, particularly in Medinipur. He said that despite high demand, Bengal is not self-dependent on fish and has to rely on other states. “In 15 years of TMC rule, they could not give you fish; that is an example of corruption. Bihar also used to get fish from other states, but due to the BJP government’s policies, fish harvesting has doubled there, and they send fish to other states. Ten years ago, Assam used to import fish from other states. But now, their fish production has doubled. Their fish requirement is fulfilled, and Assam also exports to other states,” he said.
In Asansol, PM Modi spoke about how it was a coal belt area, and how under the TMC, there was a syndicate system. “Coal mafia, black marketing of coal, and sand mafia have all become a burden in this region, and people are fed up. Asansol and Durgapur were once massive industrial centres for the entire country—from cycles to rail, paper to steel, aluminium to glass—there were chains of factories, and workers came from all over India. But now, the youth are forced to leave home in search of jobs,” he added.
He said that when India gained independence, the national income was Rs 100, of which Rs 12 came from West Bengal. “But the Congress and Left regimes destroyed everything. And if that was not enough, when the people of this state gave TMC the opportunity, Bengal’s contribution reduced even further. Everyone had faith that TMC would do something, but instead, TMC crossed all limits of cruelty. Now, if the country earns Rs 100, Bengal’s contribution is only Rs 5. While the people are becoming poorer, the bungalows of TMC ministers, goons, and syndicates are becoming larger,” he added.
Modi further said that Bengal trusted all parties—first Congress, then the Left, then TMC—they only cheated the state. “It is time for development in Bengal,” he added.
The Prime Minister Modi pointed out that the Centre spent more than Rs 35,000 crore for industrial development in Asansol, including projects like the Durgapur-Haldia gas pipeline, Asansol-Bokaro train services, two Vande Bharat and two Amrit Bharat trains, and the redevelopment of Andul railway station.
He alleged that people were unable to hold religious processions in the state due to the fear instilled by the TMC, and added that during elections, votes were captured and Opposition candidates were murdered.
PM Modi also spoke of the recent attack on judicial officers in Malda, saying, “In Malda, the TMC made a big mistake. This incident of TMC’s ‘maha jungle raj’ is the last nail in their coffin. Out of fear, the TMC is abusing the central forces…the people of Bengal will give a befitting reply. I want to tell TMC that they cannot stop the rule of law in Bengal anymore.”
“In Bengal, the situation is such now that due to infiltrators, the demography in some places has changed. People are not allowed to go to temples in some places…only Durga Puja is allowed to be celebrated. Such a serious situation is being created by the TMC government. There was a time when the Lal Ishtahar was issued, and Hindus were threatened. The TMC is doing the same, where on the basis of one community, Hindus are being threatened,” he alleged.
In his third public meeting in Suri, Birbhum, PM Modi brought up the Bogtui incident of March 2022, when TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh was killed, and in retaliation, his supporters allegedly killed 10 people.
“What happened was not just an incident but a black mark on humanity. Innocent women and children were burnt alive. This ‘maha jungle raj’ must end. It is proof of the TMC syndicates’ gunda raj. The land belongs to you, but to capture it, there is a gang war. I promise the people of Bengal that once a BJP government is formed, a special investigation team will be set up against those who have helped these infiltrators,” he said.
He also referred to President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to the state, and said that though the TMC’s slogan is ‘Ma Mati Manush’ “under their rule, the condition of mothers is very bad, and the condition of ST, SC, and OBC women is also very bad”. Accusing the TMC of insulting the first Adivasi President of the country, PM Modi said, “When the President came to Bengal, it was the responsibility of the government to show respect, but this egoistic TMC government did not—because she is an Adivasi. This is an insult to the Adivasi community, to women, and to the Constitution.”
Launching an attack on the bomb factories in Birbhum, he said that India is making new records in defence manufacturing, but the TMC has turned making crude bombs into an industry.
The Prime Minister also promised that once BJP comes to power, the 7th Pay Commission will be implemented in West Bengal. “The central government has brought projects worth Rs 75,000 crore, which the TMC has blocked. Once we come to power, these will be introduced. We will give work to all, and money will go directly into bank accounts—no syndicate, no cut money. TMC’s ruthlessness is destroying potato harvesting, and many farmers are ending their lives. This is a serious issue,” he added.
The polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes on May 4. In 2021, the Assembly elections were held in eight phases, and the Trinamool Congress recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats, and the BJP bagged 77. The Congress and the Left Front drew a blank.