KOLKATA, April 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday exuded confidence that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal after the assembly polls, asserting that he would return to the state after May 4 for the oath-taking ceremony.
Addressing a rally at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district on the final day of campaigning for the second and last phase of the assembly elections, Modi sharpened the BJP’s pitch against the ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing it of presiding over “syndicate raj”, political violence, infiltration and economic decline.
“Wherever I have gone in West Bengal, I have observed the mood of the people. I am returning with the conviction that after May 4, I will have to return to attend the BJP government’s swearing-in ceremony,” Modi said, drawing cheers.
Calling the election crucial for the future of eastern India, the prime minister said West Bengal’s progress was inseparable from India’s rise and that the eastern region must regain its historical strength.
“In the past, when India was prosperous, it had three strong pillars — Anga, Banga and Kalinga â?” today’s Bihar, Bengal and Odisha. When these three pillars weakened, it dealt a blow to India’s strength. The nation’s rise is incomplete without the rise of the East,” he said.
Drawing parallels with recent BJP gains in neighbouring states, Modi said after Bihar and Odisha, it was now West Bengal’s turn for the “lotus to bloom”. “Bihar and Odisha have bloomed the lotus, and now it’s West Bengal’s turn. The atmosphere I am seeing here makes it certain,” he said.
“My destiny and responsibility are to serve, secure and save West Bengal,” he added.
Launching a sharp attack on TMC, Modi alleged that the party had reduced governance to intimidation, abuse and lies. “TMC’s only strategy seems to be hurling abuses, issuing threats and spreading lies. They have targeted me, constitutional institutions and even armed forces with derogatory remarks. Yet not one TMC leader has given an account of what they have done in 15 years,” he said.
Claiming that industries were collapsing while criminal networks thrived, Modi said “jungle raj” has ushered in the state.
“On one hand, mills that provided employment are shutting down, while on the other, factories producing crude bombs are flourishing. Goons are getting jobs and TMC’s syndicate is expanding. This is their jungle law,” he alleged. (PTI)
