In a high-voltage political and administrative visit to Durgapur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing the party of siding with infiltrators and failing to maintain law and order in the state. The Prime Minister’s remarks, made during a political rally, clearly signalled that issues of infiltration and governance will be central to the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign ahead of next year’s Assembly elections.
Responding to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s criticism of the Centre over alleged targeting of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in the name of driving out Bangladeshi infiltrators, Modi said, “The Trinamool has come down directly on behalf of the infiltrators. Listen carefully, action will be taken against infiltrators as per the Constitution.”
His comments come amid a growing political storm over illegal immigration and the rights of Bengali-speaking citizens in other states.
Modi did not hold back on highlighting recent incidents of violence and unrest in Bengal. He cited the last year’s rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital and the gang rape at South Calcutta Law College, accusing the TMC of shielding the accused.
"Even hospitals in Bengal are not safe for women. And still, the Trinamool tries to protect criminals,” he said, linking the ruling party to alleged misconduct in educational institutions as well.
The Prime Minister also mentioned recent communal tensions in Murshidabad, claiming, “The police act in a biased manner during such incidents. Law and order has broken down under Trinamool’s rule.”
Addressing a packed audience at Durgapur’s Nehru Stadium, Modi reiterated the BJP’s commitment to industrial development in the state.
“If the BJP comes to power, Bengal will become one of the most industrially developed states in the country,” he said, adding, “But the Trinamool is not allowing Bengal to progress. Investors flee due to the syndicate raj. From primary to higher education, everything is deteriorating.”
Switching to Bengali at points, the Prime Minister declared, "Bangla chai poriborton. Bangla chai unnayan (Bengal wants change. Bengal wants development).”
Before the political rally, Modi held an administrative meeting attended by Governor CV Anand Bose, Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari, Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Shantanu Thakur, Sukanta Majumdar, and Rajya Sabha MP and BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya. The latter and Adhikari greeted the Prime Minister on stage by presenting him with an uttariya (ceremonial scarf).
Modi began his address with chants of “Jai Maa Kali”, affirming his connection with Bengal’s cultural and spiritual identity.
Alongside his political message, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for seven major infrastructure projects worth over ₹5,400 crore, aimed at improving gas connectivity, energy efficiency and rail infrastructure in Bengal.
Also read: Mamata hits street over alleged targeting of Bengalis by Centre
Modi emphasised that these projects would boost employment, improve connectivity, and attract industrial investments to Bengal. “Unimaginable work has been done in gas connectivity in the last 10 years. Now, gas is reaching 25–30 lakh homes via pipelines,” he added.
Lauding Durgapur as a key center of India’s industrial workforce, Modi said, "Durgapur’s role is crucial in India’s development. The entire state must develop alongside. We want to transform Bengal into a hub of progress and opportunity.”
With both administrative and political undertones, the Prime Minister’s visit is being seen as the curtain-raiser for BJP’s campaign in Bengal— with a clear pitch for change, development and law-and-order reform.
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