Addressing a crowd in Bishnupur, West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday delivered a scathing critique of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), accusing the ruling party of widespread corruption and jeopardising the future of the state's youth. "TMC has not even spared your children in its hunger for money. Here the 'teacher recruitment scam' has put the future of the youth as well as the coming generations at stake," Modi stated.
Further, Modi accused the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of disrespecting revered organisations and Hindu faiths. "TMC is shaking because it sees its time is over now. In their desperation, TMC leaders have started to hurl abuses at prestigious organisations like ISKCON, Ramakrishna Mission, and Bharat Sevashram Sangha," he asserted. "These organisations have brought glory to Bengal, but the Chief Minister of this state claims they are ruining Bengal. Under pressure from Muslim extremists, she has publicly insulted our seers and prestigious organisations to garner votes."
The remark comes as CM Mamata Banerjee addressing a poll rally in Goghat under the Arambagh Lok Sabha constituency on Saturday, claimed that some monks of Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha are working under the influence of BJP leaders in Delhi. "Those who are looking after temples are doing great spiritual jobs, but everyone is not doing so. This is not done. We respect the monks, news agency PTI quoted her as saying.
"There is a maharaj in Behrampore; I have been hearing about him for a long time. Kartik Maharaj. He says he will not allow any TMC agent in the poll booth. I do not consider him a saint because he is directly involved in politics. I used to respect Bharat Sevashram Sangha a lot. It has been on my list of respected organisations for a long time", she remarked, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Modi lambasted the Mamata Banerjee-led government for tarnishing educational prospects in the state. "In Bengal, where Goddess Saraswati is worshipped, the TMC government has even stolen from education. They have ruined the future of thousands of youths in teacher recruitment."
Highlighting the plight of the affected families, he added, "Poor parents sold their houses and lands, took loans and bribed their (TMC) ministers. Today all those youth are on the streets. What was their fault after all?"
In a fervent declaration, Modi promised retribution against the corrupt: "I guarantee you all, they have got your houses sold, Modi is going to get the bungalows of the corrupt TMC people, their cars, everything sold."
Continuing his attack on the TMC, Modi slammed the state's employment situation: "There was a time when people from other states came to Bengal for employment, but today people from Bankura and all over Bengal are forced to migrate for work."
He also cited the recent Sandeshkhali case to corner the West Bengal government. "TMC came to power saying that it will protect 'Maa, Maati, Manush'. Today TMC is devouring 'Maa, Maati, Manush'. The women of Bengal have lost faith in TMC. The sin that has happened in Sandeshkhali has forced the sisters of the entire Bengal to think," he remarked.
PM Modi Hits Out At I.N.D.I.A. Partners Congress, TMC, Left Front
Drawing parallels between TMC, Congress, and the Left Front which have come together in the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, Modi criticised their alliance saying, "Be it the Congress, TMC or the Left front, they may look like three different parties, but their 'sins' are the same. This is why they have joined hands and formed the INDI alliance".
He accused these parties of neglecting the poor, farmers, tribals, and OBCs, stating, "Wherever they ruled, they made that state poor; West Bengal is the latest and most suitable example. Their model is not development, but violence, corruption, ‘mafia’ and appeasement."
"The INDI bloc has used every tool in their arsenal, but all their attacks have failed because of the shield protecting my citizens... I stand as that shield for you," he commented.
Modi presented himself as a selfless leader dedicated to the welfare of the marginalised. "Your dreams are Modi's resolve. I do not have to leave behind a legacy for my ‘nephew’ or anyone else. I am working and will work for the people. I want to make ‘Viksit Bharat’ for the children of the poor, Dalits and tribals. This is the legacy that I want to leave behind," he declared. He urged the people to vote for him, saying, "Each and every vote of yours will strengthen Modi’s hands and give me energy to work more."