Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Address in West Bengal: Key Guarantees and Political Assertions

 

On Sunday, May 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at an election rally in Barakpur, West Bengal. With a five-point guarantee, Modi took aim at the Trinamool Congress, which is now in power in Bengal.

"I'm offering Bengal five assurances. There will be no reservations based on religion as long as I am here. No one is able to cancel an OBC, SC, or ST reservation. You are free to celebrate Ram Navami without any hindrance. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will not be repealed, nor will the Supreme Court's ruling regarding the Ram temple in Ayodhya be overturned," Modi declared.

According to Modi, it is now challenging for the average Bengali person to practice their faith. "Those who chant Lord Ram's name are threatening TMC members." Jai, Lord Ram! The TMC forbids its citizens from celebrating Ram Navami. Congress opposes the Ram temple as well. Shall we pass the nation over to the TMC, Congress, and the Left? Modi stated.

According to Modi, West Bengal—and particularly Barakpur—has made history. This territory was essential to independence. But it has turned into a hub for scams under Mamata Banerjee's TMC administration.

"Bengal used to be a center for scientific discoveries, but since the TMC took power, the state has been reduced to a bomb-making factory. Bengal once agitated against illegal immigration, but now that the TMC is protecting them, illegal immigrants are thriving, according to Modi.

"The Indian coalition and TMC-Congress have submitted to Bengal's appeasement tactics. They want votes to overthrow Modi. They will drown Hindus in the Bhagirathi River, according to a TMC MLA. Think of their boldness. Their bravery. Who is standing by them?" With a broadside against the state government, Modi stated.

Prior to this, TMC MLA Humayun Kabir made contentious statements during a Murshidabad election rally, threatening to drown Hindus in the Bhagirathi River in two hours if they didn't abandon politics.

According to Modi, the Congress Party, which dominated the nation for many years, disregarded the advancement of the states in eastern India.

"For many years following independence, the nation was ruled by relatives of the Congress party. They paid no attention to the states that developed in eastern India. Regardless of the state—West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, or Odisha—Congress took no action to capitalize on their potential. These states have a plethora of opportunities for economic development, from the blue economy to natural resources," Modi added.

He went on to say that 'Modi' would turn eastern India into the country's main driver of development.

In the eastern states of India, we are currently constructing a network of highways, railroads, and waterways. This region has become more industrialized because to dedicated freight lines. West Bengal and its adjacent states will be dedicated to advancing development in the upcoming years," he stated.

In contrast to 2019, when it won 18 seats, Modi asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would do better in West Bengal in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. For us, West Bengal is a crucial state. Even if the states were capable, the people of eastern India lived in poverty during the 50 years that Congress controlled. These states have rich soil and mineral resources. Additionally, there is the potential for tourism. The Prime Minister declared, "I have chosen to make these states the development engine of a developed India." The PM also conducted a roadshow at Barakpur earlier.

On May 13, the fourth phase of voting for West Bengal's eight Lok Sabha seats will take place. Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur, and Birbhum are the constituencies.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state, while the BJP had to be content with 2 seats. The CPI(M) won 2 seats, while the Congress got 4 seats.