With around 10 days left for the two-phase West Bengal Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised the voters of the state that the BJP would expedite the process of granting citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) for eligible refugee families if the party comes to power in the state.
PM Modi addressed public gatherings in the poll-bound state, holding rallies in Katwa, Jangipur, and Murshidabad.
Addressing a public rally in Katwa in the Purba Bardhaman district, the prime minister launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, with focus on issues like infiltration, corruption, unemployment.
PM Modi posted a video X highlighting the huge crowd behind him at the helipad at Katwa. In the video, he said, “All can see behind me the massive crowd. It’s 11.30 am, and it is the first public meeting, and so many people in the helipad it is a unique sight.
Reaching out specifically to the Matua and Namasudra communities, who form a significant electoral base in several districts of South Bengal, PM Modi said, “All refugee families, I want to say our Matuas, Namasudras, and other refugees are not here due to the TMC government, but due to the Constitution of this country. Our government framed the CAA so that the Matua, Namasudra, and other refugees get their rights. Once the BJP government comes into power, the refugees through CAA will get citizenship faster.”
Prime Minister Modi also gave a stern warning to the infiltrators, stating that once the BJP government comes to power, it will not spare the infiltrators.
“I will tell all infiltrators to pack their bags; while those who helped them make fake papers and linked them to government programmes will be made accountable,” he said, a day after the BJP released its party’s manifesto, ‘Sankalp Patra’.
On the promises mentioned in the Sankalp Patra, the PM stated that those promises would be kept.
“In it is the road map for my six promises — Modi’s guarantee to remove the rule of this nirmam (cruel) TMC government and restore faith in people. The BJP will place a white paper on corruption and law so that all goons and syndicates and all corrupt ministers of TMC face the law,” the PM said.
PM Modi alleged that the TMC government has kept West Bengal citizens in fear during its 15-year rule. “This election is to remove this fear from people. This will be our first step towards a Viksit Bengal. Remember ‘bhoi’ (fear) out and borsha (faith) in. Vote for BJP,” he said.
According to PM Modi those who are participating in riots and political violence will be brought to task.
Launching a scathing attack on the ‘corrupt’ TMC government, PM Modi said that if voted to power, an investigation commission would be set up with a SC retired judge to investigate political violence. “During the BJP rule, there will be transparency at all levels — from a government office in a village to the state secretariat – ‘Nabanna’. Even in the police department, there will be transparency and in place of a syndicate, there will be a transparent tender process.”
‘If anything is lacking in Bengal, it’s good governance’
The prime minister reminded the voters of how nature has gifted West Bengal. “Bengal has mountains, land, and jungles. Bengal is no less than any state. If anything is lacking, then that is good governance and good intentions. Bardhaman is famous for wheat, jute, etc. There can be crops grown three times, but the ‘nirmam’ TMC government has finished the potato farmers. They had promised to buy potatoes, but did not. This will not be allowed; Bengal will not be silent; Bengal farmers will get the benefit of the double-engine government.“
Additionally, he also promised that the BJP would restore the pride of the jute industry.
The Prime Minister alleged that the Trinamool Congress has reached a panic mode on seeing the people’s love for the BJP, and hence they are spreading lies. “They are saying schemes will be closed down. We will not close any schemes, but stop their loot and corruption. I want to tell all the girls and women of West Bengal that every month Rs 3,000 will be given to you. Under the BJP rule, women can move around without fear. The BJP government means full security for women; that is the biggest difference between the TMC government and the BJP government.”
Pointing towards the BJP manifesto, PM stated that for the youth the party will bring in industries for employment and that the unemployed youth will also get financial assistance. The BJP promises age relaxation for youth who have became overaged due to TMC corruption, filling government vacancies, organising a Rojgar Mela, and implementing the 7th Pay Commission for all government employees.
All central government schemes which have been stopped by the TMC government would be implemented in West Bengal, PM said, “Central health scheme of Rs 5 lakh has also been stopped here once the BJP cm takes oath in the first cabinet meeting only the Ayushman Bharat health scheme will be implemented.”
In a separate rally in Murshidabad’s Jangipur, PM Modi said: “From Sandeshkhali to RG Kar, this (TMC) ruthless government stood up to protect rapists. Bengal does not forget this. The era of fear will end.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the crucial role of tribal communities in the progress of West Bengal and India, highlighting the Rajbanshi and Santhal communities. While addressing his third public meeting in Kusmandi, in Dakshin Dinajpur he said: “The Rajbanshi community of Bengal, the Santhal community, the tribal community… play a very significant role in the progress of entire Bengal and India. Churka Murmu ji, Jitu Santhal ji… we owe a great debt to many such heroes. We take pride in their lives.”
He criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for allegedly neglecting tribal welfare, pointing out that despite central funding, not a single house was built for Adivasis under the PM Janman Yojana in Bengal. Modi also accused the TMC of insulting tribal society and the Constitution.
TMC leaves no opportunity to insult the tribal society, he said, adding, “President Draupadi Murmu had visited Bengal to attend a programme of the Santhal community, some time ago. But the TMC neither upheld the dignity of the Constitution, nor respected the tribal society, nor honored the mothers and sisters of the country. TMC, which insults mothers and sisters, insults the tribal society, and insults the Constitution, needs to be taught a lesson. TMC can never develop tribal areas.”
“The BJP government has declared the birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda as Tribal Pride Day, so that the country remembers the contributions of the tribal community and draws inspiration from them.TMC can never work for the welfare of Tribals. In every state of the country, people are getting the benefit of the PM-Janman Yojana. The central government is spending around Rs 25,000 crore in this scheme.”
“Right here in Odisha, where the BJP government is in power, more than 30,000 houses for tribals have been built under the PM Janman Yojana, and in Tripura as well, more than 16,000 houses have been constructed for the tribal community,” the prime minister said. “But here, the TMC’s anti-tribal government—you know how many houses have they built under the PM Jan Man Yojana? Zero. Not a single house has been built. The money is provided by the Government of India. What enmity do they have with the tribal community that they’re not even willing to provide pucca houses?,” PM Modi said.