Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally in West Bengal's Barrackpur on Sunday (May 12), followed by a roadshow in Patna in the evening. He attacked the Congress and TMC in the state and said that infiltrators are flourishing under the Mamata Banerjee rule. He also guaranteed the people that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be implemented in Bengal and nobody can stop the Centre from doing so.
What did PM Modi say?
The Prime Minister exuded confidence in the BJP securing more seats than it did in the 2019 elections in West Bengal. "Your enthusiastic faces tell me that the BJP is going to receive an even higher mandate than it did in 2019. Bengal is saying, “Phir Ek Baar, Modi Sarkar," he said.
He attacked the Congress and TMC and said that their rule in the eastern states have left them backward.
"After independence, family members of the Congress party governed the country for decades. They neglected the development of the states of eastern India. Whether it was West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, or Odisha, Congress did nothing to harness the capabilities of these states. From natural resources to blue economy, these states have huge potential for economic growth across fields. You gave Modi a chance in 2014, Modi has decided that he will make the eastern part of the country the growth engine of developed India," he said.
"Modi will make East India the growth engine of Viksit Bharat. Today, we are creating a network of roadways, railways, and waterways in the eastern states of India... Dedicated freight corridors have amplified industrialization in this area. The upcoming years will be dedicated to furthering the development of West Bengal and the surrounding states," PM Modi added.
PM attacks TMC over law and order
The Prime Minister alleged that the infiltrators are flourishing under the protection of TMC in the state.
"There was a time when many scientific discoveries were taking place in Bengal, today under the rule of TMC, home industry of making bombs is running in many places. There was a time when Bengal used to revolt against the infiltrators, but today the infiltrators are flourishing here under the protection of TMC," he said.
"INDI Alliance has completely surrendered to their appeasement policy. They are willing to engage in 'Vote Jihad' against BJP. A TMC leader says that they will throw Hindus in the Bhagirathi river...Where do they get the audacity to say and do all of this?," he alleged.
PM Modi guarantees CAA implementation in Bengal
PM Modi guaranteed to the people of the state that nobody can stop the implementation of CAA in the state.
"I want to give 5 guarantees to the people of Bengal. Nobody can give reservations based on religion. Reservations for SC, ST, and OBC will not be touched. Nobody can stop you from celebrating Ram Navami. As long as Modi is there, the judgement of the Supreme Court on Ram Mandir will not be overturned. Nobody can stop the implementation of CAA," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister's remarks on Ram Mandir verdict came days after former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam on May 6 made a massive claim and said that soon after the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Ayodhya case, Rahul Gandhi had said after Congress forms its government at the Centre, it would “overturn” the top court’s verdict on Ram Mandir “just like Rajiv Gandhi overturned the Shah Bano decision”.
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He also hit out at Mamata Banerjee over the law and order in the state on several religious occasions when violent incidents have been reported, and said that it has become difficult for a common man to follow his faith in Bengal.
"Today, it has become difficult for a common man to follow his faith in Bengal. TMC threatens people when they chant the name of Shri Ram. TMC does not allow people to celebrate Ram Navami. Congress, too, stands against the Ram Mandir. Should we leave the country in the hands of TMC, Congress, and Leftists?" he said.
PM Modi in Hooghly
While addressing another rally in Hooghly, he launched a veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi and said, "...Keep it in writing, Congress will get fewer seats than the age of Congress' 'Shehzada'."
