On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized West Bengal's governing party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), accusing it of marginalizing Bengali Hindus by not viewing them as a significant part of its voter base.
In recent decades, the demographic landscape in various regions of Bengal has shifted significantly. Bengali Hindus are increasingly becoming a minority. The TMC is against granting citizenship to Hindus, prioritizing their vote bank above all. They do not view Hindus as part of their vote bank because they [Hindus] do not contribute to their criminal activities.
He stated that the TMC resisted the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to prevent the removal of infiltrators from the electoral list. 'They are unwilling to even remove the names of deceased voters,' Modi remarked during a rally in Kolkata before the state assembly elections expected next month.
Modi previously initiated and unveiled several infrastructure and development projects valued at approximately ₹18,680 crore.
Saayoni Ghosh, a member of the Rajya Sabha from the TMC, responded by questioning whether Modi or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has any narrative beyond Hindu-Muslim, India-Pakistan, and crematoriums-burial grounds.
State Minister Bratya Basu announced that over 6.3 million names have been removed from the electoral register, with numerous others still under review in the state. He questioned, 'How many Rohingyas and Bangladeshis were identified? How many infiltrators were present?'
Modi criticized the TMC for the supposed breach of protocol during an event attended by President Droupadi Murmu last week. He remarked that the TMC cannot tolerate the significant respect being shown to a tribal woman. 'President Murmu, from the adivasi [tribal] community, visited West Bengal for an international conference on Santhals. However, the TMC government, described as arrogant and ruthless, mishandled the situation. ...The President of India had to voice her distress.'
Ghosh asserted that Murmu was there for a political rally, describing it as an extraordinary event. Ghosh questioned whether, when women were assaulted and publicly humiliated in Manipur, it did not occur to Modi that these women were also from tribal communities. Modi stated that the TMC rose to power with the slogan 'ma (mother), mati (soil), manush (people).' He remarked that now, mothers are in distress, the soil is being plundered, and the people of Bengal are compelled to leave the state. He also highlighted that infiltration is a significant threat to Bengal's food, daughters, and soil.
He stated that in the majority of crimes, a TMC leader or someone linked to the party is involved. "The TMC administration openly supports the criminals and attempts to protect them. This behavior has led to a rise in attacks on women."
Modi stated that the TMC administration has one main focus. 'They refuse to work themselves and prevent others from working. They block any aid from reaching the impoverished unless they receive their share of the money. This is why they have hindered the implementation of the Centre's programs,' Modi remarked.
He stated that the TMC's reign of hooliganism is almost over. 'The countdown for the removal of the TMC government has begun. Today marks the beginning of a new revolution in Bengal. The message is clear both on the wall and in the hearts of the people. The fall of the oppressive government is unavoidable. The era of lawlessness will conclude,' he remarked.
Prior to Modi's events, a conflict erupted between TMC and BJP supporters and workers in Kolkata. State minister Sashi Panja reported being injured when BJP workers assaulted her home.
The BJP is conducting the rally with hooligans. My residence was assaulted. Stones were hurled, and the window glass was shattered. I am confident they were fully prepared to execute the attack. Observe their boldness.
