Modi Escalates Attacks on TMC, Promises Action on infiltration in West Bengal
West Bengal is at a critical juncture as Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his criticism of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday, accusing the party of prioritizing vote banks over national security and hindering progress initiatives.the Prime Minister’s remarks came during a rally in Singur, Hooghly district, as part of a concerted campaign ahead of upcoming assembly polls.
Focus on National Security and Infiltration
Modi directly accused the TMC of aiding and abetting infiltrators from across the border, alleging they are being used as a political advantage. “TMC is playing with the safety of the nation. It is offering them protection so that they can become their vote bank,” he stated.He further claimed the TMC government is deliberately obstructing border security measures, ignoring requests for land to build fences and even providing forged documents to those entering the country illegally.
New Rail Services and Infrastructure Boost
Despite the strong political rhetoric, Modi also highlighted the central government’s commitment to improving infrastructure in West Bengal. He inaugurated new Bharat sleeper trains connecting Howrah and Guwahati and the inauguration of rail and road infrastructure projects totaling ₹3,250 crore.
Development Projects and Economic Promises
Alongside the strong rhetoric, Modi highlighted the central government’s commitment to West Bengal’s development.On Sunday, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects worth over ₹830 crore. These included an extended port gate system at Balagarh in hooghly district, a new electric catamaran on the Hooghly River in Kolkata, the Jayrambati-Barogopinathpur-Maynapur railway line, and a train service between Maynapur and Jayrambati. He also virtually flagged off three new Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Kolkata to Delhi, Varanasi, and Chennai.
Modi specifically pledged support for jute mills and agro-products in Hooghly district, emphasizing the importance of the food processing industry and cold storage chains. He criticized the TMC government for allegedly obstructing the implementation of central schemes designed to benefit the state’s population. “The TMC government does not let the Centre’s schemes reach you,” he claimed.
Allegations of Obstruction and Corruption
The Prime Minister accused the West Bengal government of failing to cooperate with central authorities on border security measures. “The Centre has been writing to the bengal government for years, seeking land along the border to set up fences. But Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee neither reads my letters nor lets her officers read them,” Modi asserted. He also alleged that the TMC provides infiltrators with forged documents.
Furthermore, Modi leveled accusations of corruption and inefficiency, stating that investments and industries would only flourish with improved law and order. “Here,rioters and the mafia get a free hand. Only a BJP government can end mafia raj and extortion. This is Modi’s guarantee,” he declared.
TMC Response and Counter-Allegations
The TMC swiftly responded to modi’s accusations,alleging that the central government was systematically depriving West Bengal of funding for crucial social welfare projects. “Is Bengal not one of the states of india? Why has the Centre stopped funding social welfare projects such as housing for the poor or the building of roads in Bengal? Having deprived our people, Modi is now making tall statements,” stated TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar.
BJP’s Past Performance and Future Prospects
While the BJP secured victory in the Hooghly Lok Sabha seat in 2019, it failed to win the Singur assembly segment in the 2021 elections, despite fielding Rabindranath Bhattacharya, a former TMC MLA who had previously won the seat four consecutive times.
Modi concluded his address by outlining a vision for West Bengal as a major manufacturing hub, citing the record cargo handling performance of kolkata Port as evidence of the state’s potential. “Bengal can be turned into a big manufacturing hub. If we can build an ecosystem,then employment will be generated,” he said,expressing his ambition to see West Bengal lead the way in economic growth. He also highlighted the success of BJP-ruled Tripura, where 85% of homes now have access to piped drinking water, contrasting it with the situation during the previous Left regime.
