PM Narendra Modi, during a campaign rally in Cooch Behar, expressed his assurance that the individuals responsible for the Sandeshkhali incident would face lifelong imprisonment. He further criticized the Trinamool government in Bengal for their failure to protect the women of Sandeshkhali, who have accused local TMC leaders of sexual harassment.
In addition, Modi accused the Trinamool government of corruption and impeding the implementation of development schemes initiated by the Central government. He also highlighted that misinformation regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was being spread by BJP’s political rivals. However, he reassured the audience that those who have faith in “Ma Bharati” would be granted citizenship, emphasizing that it was his guarantee as the Prime Minister.
Modi emphasized both corruption and Sandeshkhali as examples of how Trinamool was actively working against the people of Bengal. The Prime Minister stated, “The entire nation witnessed how the state machinery was utilized to shield the perpetrators of Sandeshkhali. We have made a commitment to bring them to justice.”
“Trinamool is also attempting to protect those involved in the ration and teacher recruitment scams. They are shielding those who deceived members of my family. That money belonged to you, and no one should be allowed to embezzle it. They are obstructing the investigations. I advocate for eradicating corruption, while they advocate for safeguarding the corrupt. However, their threats will not deter Modi. You will witness even more rigorous investigations in the upcoming five years,” he assured. Modi asserted that all 1.4 billion Indians are “my family”.
He further declared that the progress India has witnessed in the past decade was merely a glimpse of what is to come, stating that 30 million women from Bengal would become prosperous “Lakhpati Didis” under the BJP government’s next term.
The Prime Minister highlighted the successful outcomes of his initiatives, such as the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the passing of the Women’s Reservation Bill, and the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya after 500 years. He emphasized that with the right intentions, positive results can be achieved, citing examples of schemes aimed at providing housing, sanitation facilities, clean water, and cooking gas to the citizens.
Addressing the opposition’s criticism of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Modi stated that those parties had neglected marginalized communities like the Rajbanshi, Namasudra, and Matua. He accused them of spreading misinformation about the CAA, reassuring the public that his government’s intentions were genuine and trustworthy. Despite attempts by parties like Trinamool Congress and Left Front to create fear, Modi urged the people to have faith in his track record of the past decade. The PM’s remarks came during a rally in a constituency with a significant Rajbanshi population, while CM Mamata Banerjee held a separate event in Malbazar, where she criticized the BJP and the CAA. Trinamool has vowed to resist the implementation of CAA and NRC in West Bengal, labeling those seeking citizenship under CAA as “outsiders.”