Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a large public gathering in Bankura district’s Bishnupur on Sunday, asserting that the scale of the crowd reflected rising support for the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) in West Bengal.
Highlighting the enthusiasm among attendees, he said, “Every public gathering is becoming bigger than before. I was told people have been sitting for two to three hours. This atmosphere, this love, this enthusiasm, this zeal, this protest also symbolise the anger against the ruthless government.”
During the rally, PM Modi also introduced BJP candidates to the public and asked the Special Protection Group (SPG) to collect paintings and artworks that supporters had brought for him.
According to PTI, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address four public meetings across the state on Sunday, beginning with Bishnupur and followed by rallies in Purulia, Jhargram and Medinipur.
The outreach is seen as part of the BJP’s effort to consolidate its support base in the western and south-western regions, where the party has performed strongly in previous Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT A KEY POLITICAL PITCH
Focusing on women’s representation in politics, the Prime Minister said the BJP draws strong backing from women voters and aims to increase their participation in governance.
“The BJP’s identity is women’s empowerment and women’s safety. That is why, in every state of the country, sisters and daughters give the BJP the most blessings. We want to expand the role of daughters in building a Viksit Bharat and encourage more and more daughters to enter politics,” he said.
He also accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Congress of opposing the Women’s Reservation Bill, alleging that they did not want more women from West Bengal to become lawmakers.
“The women of Bengal wanted 33 per cent reservation. Modi ensured this. The women of Bengal wanted it to be implemented from 2029. Modi also made efforts for this. But TMC did not want Bengal’s daughters to become MLAs and MPs in larger numbers because the daughters of Bengal were challenging their ‘Maha Jungle Raj’,” he said.
ATTACK ON TMC OVER GOVERNANCE AND LAW AND ORDER
The Prime Minister launched a sharp attack on the ruling TMC, alleging deterioration in governance and accusing the party of disregarding judicial observations.
“The Kolkata High Court has repeatedly questioned the government. They don’t even listen to the courts,” he said.
He further alleged that the TMC supported infiltrators and criticised the party over its stance towards President Droupadi Murmu.
“The TMC is against President Murmu because she is from a tribal community. They insulted the President during her visit to West Bengal,” PM Modi said.
Calling for political change in the state, the Prime Minister said, “The ‘jungle raj’ of the TMC should be punished. They should be removed from power.”
WELFARE PROMISES AND STRONG WARNING TO ‘SYNDICATES’
Highlighting welfare measures promised by the BJP, PM Modi said women in West Bengal would receive financial assistance to build permanent houses.
“The BJP government will provide free rations, and women of West Bengal will be given Rs 1.5 lakh to build a pucca house,” he said.
Referring to the ongoing election climate, the Prime Minister said the rhetoric of TMC leaders indicated the political mood ahead of the counting day.
“The results on May 4 can be predicted from the kind of language and threats TMC leaders are using,” he said.
Issuing a strong warning to alleged criminal networks, he added, “I am giving the last chance to goons and syndicates of TMC to surrender before April 29. No one will be spared.”
Describing the people of the state as resilient, PM Modi said, “People of West Bengal are ‘Bengal Tiger’.”
Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.
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