With just 48 hours remaining before the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh intensified the BJP’s campaign push in the state, delivering a sharp and controversial speech at a rally in Nanur on Monday.
Addressing a high-voltage gathering, Singh sought to energise the crowd with Bengali slogans targeting the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Referring to party symbols, he said the “twin grass flowers” would be defeated while the BJP’s lotus would “bloom to build a new Bengal.”
However, it was his remarks warning alleged criminals and “goons” that drew the strongest reactions. Singh asserted that once the BJP comes to power, such elements would either “stay indoors, go to jail, or go ‘up above’.” Political observers interpreted the phrase as a veiled reference to extrajudicial actions, a suggestion that has triggered sharp criticism from opposition quarters.
The remarks come amid an already charged campaign atmosphere, with earlier statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also emphasising strict action against criminal elements in the state.
During his speech, Singh also launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led government, offering a reinterpretation of “TMC” as “Total Misrule and Corruption.” He alleged widespread corruption, citing issues ranging from extortion practices to recruitment scams, and accused the state government of encouraging infiltration and appeasement politics.
He further claimed that governance failures had forced many young people in the state to migrate elsewhere in search of employment. Raising concerns about law and order, Singh also alleged that women’s safety had deteriorated under the current administration.
Promising a “new dawn” under a Bharatiya Janata Party government, he said that citizens would be able to live without fear if the party comes to power.
The remarks have added fresh fuel to the political discourse in the state, with the ruling party yet to issue a formal response at the time of reporting. As campaigning enters its final stretch, Singh’s statements underline the increasingly aggressive tone of the electoral battle, with both sides vying to consolidate support ahead of voting.
Also read: Will implement women's reservation, no power can stop us: Rajnath
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