Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that the BJP is set to form the government in West Bengal, as he addressed a Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district, launching a sharp
attack on the ruling All India Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Striking a confident note about his party’s electoral prospects, PM Modi said, “The final phase will make sure BJP comes to power.”
He linked this assertion to voter participation in the initial stage of polling, adding, “In the first phase of voting, West Bengal has recorded a remarkable voter turnout.”
He further claimed that the outcome of the first phase had already dented the ruling party’s standing.
“TMC’s arrogance is shattered with the first phase,” he said, suggesting that the momentum had shifted in favour of the BJP.
ATTACK ON TMC OVER GOVERNANCE AND LAW AND ORDER
Targeting the TMC government, the Prime Minister alleged a breakdown of governance and accused the ruling party of fostering a culture of intimidation. “Goons of TMC behave as if they are the government,” he said.
He also took aim at the party’s ideological positioning, referring to its earlier slogan.
“Mamata Banerjee came to power using the slogan ‘Maa, Maati, Manush,’ but they no longer use it, as the TMC now backs infiltrators and syndicates,” PM Modi alleged.
Invoking nationalist icon Subhas Chandra Bose, PM Modi urged voters to draw inspiration from the past.
“Bengal needs to remember the sayings of Netaji, ‘Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azadi dunga’,” he said.
Extending the analogy to the current political context, he added, “Bengal today needs every single vote of yours, with the help which we will give you azadi from TMC’s scams, goons, violence.”
According to news agency PTI, PMModi is scheduled to address two rallies in North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts and also participate in a roadshow in Kolkata later in the day to galvanise support for BJP candidates in the final phase of the assembly elections.
His first rally for Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas is being considered a stronghold of the Matua community.
He will then travel to Hooghly district to address another rally in Haripal at approximately 3.45 pm.
In the evening, the Prime Minister is expected to lead a high-profile roadshow in Kolkata.
The roadshow is likely to commence from BK Pal Avenue and conclude at Khanna Crossing, passing through key areas in north Kolkata.
It is expected to begin around 5.30 pm and conclude by 7.30 pm, with traffic disruptions anticipated along the route.
Polling for the first phase, held on April 23 across 152 constituencies, recorded a turnout of around 93 per cent.
The remaining 142 seats will go to polls in the second phase on April 29, with authorities ensuring tight security arrangements, including deployment of central forces.
