Katwa/Jangipur/Kushmandi, April 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing multiple rallies across West Bengal, intensified the BJP’s election campaign by focusing on citizenship, identity politics, alleged infiltration, and governance failures of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
He promised that if the BJP comes to power in the state, it would speed up the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for refugee communities and roll out the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He also issued a strong warning to “infiltrators,” saying they would be forced to leave the state.
Modi addressed gatherings in different regions, including Katwa in the Matua belt, Muslim-majority Jangipur, and tribal-dominated Kushmandi, aiming to appeal to diverse voter groups.
He framed the election as a contest between what he called “TMC’s fear and BJP’s trust,” asking voters to give the BJP a chance after decades of Left and TMC rule.
He alleged that the TMC had abandoned its original “Maa-Mati-Manush” slogan and was now relying on appeasement politics, vote-bank strategies, and support from infiltrators.
A major focus of his speech was citizenship for refugee communities such as the Matua and Namasudras. Modi said these groups were living in India under constitutional protection and credited the CAA with providing them a pathway to citizenship.
He promised that a BJP government in West Bengal would expedite the citizenship process for eligible refugees.
The statement was aimed at consolidating support among these communities, many of whom have expressed concerns over electoral roll changes.
Alongside this, Modi made strong remarks on illegal immigration, saying infiltrators would be expelled and warning that those who helped them would face action.
He asserted that demographic changes were occurring in several parts of West Bengal, which he blamed on infiltration and the TMC’s policies. He further declared that the BJP would not allow Bengalis to become a minority in their own state.
At Jangipur, Modi sharpened his ideological pitch by reiterating the BJP’s commitment to implementing the Uniform Civil Code in West Bengal.
He said the UCC would end what he described as “politics of appeasement forever.” He accused the TMC of fostering vote-bank politics and claimed that the state’s governance had shifted away from its earlier promises.
He also raised concerns about political violence, referencing incidents during Ram Navami processions and accusing the TMC government of shielding perpetrators.
Additionally, he alleged that the TMC was using AI-generated content to mislead voters as it sensed electoral defeat, urging the public not to be influenced by such material.
In Kushmandi, Modi launched a sharp attack on the TMC over corruption, criminality, and governance failures. He claimed that syndicates controlled key aspects of administration and alleged that corruption had become deeply entrenched in the state.
He used strong language, accusing the TMC of institutionalizing wrongdoing and failing to maintain law and order.
He also referred to international football star Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata, alleging mismanagement by syndicates, and cited incidents such as the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case to criticize the state government’s handling of women’s safety.
He said that if the BJP came to power, all pending cases of atrocities against women would be reopened and investigated.
Modi promised to release a “white paper” on corruption, crime, and alleged syndicate networks during the TMC’s tenure, suggesting a full accounting of governance failures.
He repeatedly compared the rule of the Left, the TMC, and the BJP, asking voters to evaluate each period. He said that while the Left ruled for 35 years and the TMC for 15 years, the BJP should be given five years to govern the state.
The Prime Minister’s speeches combined identity politics, welfare promises, anti-infiltration messaging, and strong criticism of the TMC, presenting the upcoming 2026 West Bengal assembly elections as a decisive battle over the state’s identity, governance, and future direction. (PTI)
