Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi during a public meeting in West Bengal's Hoogly on Sunday, predicting that the Congress party would secure fewer seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections than 'Shehzada's' age. While simultaneously disparaging the Congress party's electoral prospects, the PM reiterated his confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) crossing the 400-seat mark.
He said, "I have full faith that you are making BJP and NDA cross 400-seat mark, but keep Keep it in writing, Congress will get fewer seats than the age of Congress' 'Shehzada'."
"This 400 plus seats is no longer a slogan but a resolve of the nation. Neither the TMC can form the government; it can’t do anything in opposition either. The Congress and the Left too can’t form the government. Only the BJP-led NDA can provide you with a stable and strong government," he added.
Modi Slams Mamata Banerjee
In a fervent speech, Modi condemned the alleged intimidation of women in Sandeshkhali by members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), particularly concerning recent allegations of sexual abuse involving TMC leaders.
"TMC is using every trick in Sandeshkhali, but none of the oppressors of Sandeshkhali TMC will be spared," Modi said while addressing his second rally in Hooghly.
“All of us have seen what the TMC has done with the sisters and mothers of Sandeshkhali. First, the police tried to save the culprits, now the TMC has started a new game. TMC goons are threatening the sisters of Sandeshkhali, just because the oppressor's name is Shahjahan Sheikh... They are trying their best to save and protect him from legal action. Don't be afraid of TMC,” PM Modi had said at Barrackpore earlier in the day.
Accusing the TMC of prioritising "vote-bank" politics over governance, Modi criticised the ruling party's track record, highlighting issues of corruption and violence in West Bengal. He asserted that under TMC rule, Hindus were relegated to "second-class" citizens and lamented the state's descent into what he described as a hub of corruption and bomb-making.
"While Modi talks about water in every household, TMC talks about bombs in every household," the PM said.
Modi also took aim at the TMC for its opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), characterising the legislation as a humanitarian effort.
“Vote bank politics has presented a law like CAA, which protects humanity, as a villain. CAA is a law to give citizenship to victims; it does not take away anyone's citizenship. But parties like Congress-TMC have painted it with the colour of their lies," Modi said.