PM's Durgapur Poll Pitch: Modi promises progress, TMC says they are ‘pack of lies'
Soon after his Durgapur speech, the TMC hit out at the PM , calling his speech a 'pack of lies' and added that while calling for a poriborton (change) in Bengal, he has changed. 'From invoking Jai Shri Ram to chanting Jai Ma Durga and Jai Maa Kali, it shows that Modi has been changed by Bengal and Didi (Mamata Banerjee),' the TMC said. Modi had begun his speech at a BJP rally in Durgapur by invoking Goddesses Kali and Durga.
Countering the PM's claim that Bengali's pride is supreme for his party, the TMC in a post on X wrote: 'Oh really? Because this is how @BJP4India 'respects' Bengal: Withheld funds meant for the poor, Insulted Tagore, Netaji, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda, Branded Bengali citizens as 'Bangladeshis'.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, 'We are hesitating to say that the Prime Minister is lying. But it is true that Modi intentionally gave false information. Why did the Prime Minister come here empty-handed? Bengal has a due of Rs 1.70 lakh crore, and he gave a promise of Rs 5,000 crore, which is invisible. He mentioned the RG Kar issue. Within 24 hours, Kolkata Police had arrested RG Kar culprit. In the law college rape case, police arrested the culprit within 24 hours. But what happened in Madhya Pradesh where a nurse was murdered. What happened in Uttra Pradesh, where police raped. Why doesn't the Prime Minister answer them?'
'Bengalis, who are Indian citizens, are still being branded as Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in BJP-ruled states. While their governments harass and detain our migrant labourers, Modi now talks about Bengali 'ashmita' only because he realises the deep hurt and anguish felt by the average Bengali,' Ghosh added.
'Modi has resorted to falsehoods because he is afraid of losing the support of the average Bengali. In Gujarat, a sweet shop owner put up a signboard in his will in Bangla to attract customers, but was forced to clarify that he is not a Bengali. This is what his Viksit Bangla has come to — nothing but a travesty. In states ruled by the BJP, Bengali-speaking Indians are being branded as Rohingyas,' he added.
Addressing a gathering in the industrial town, often known as the 'Steel City', the Prime Minister spoke about West Bengal's pivotal role as a hub for India's workforce, reiterating the BJP government's commitment to strengthening this contribution. 'Today the entire world is discussing our resolve for Viksit Bharat, reflecting the changes, especially in infrastructure, on which the edifice of a developed India is being built,' Modi said.
The initiatives, spanning across oil and gas, power, rail and road sectors, are aimed at boosting connectivity, fostering a gas-based economy, and generating employment across the region.
The PM affirmed that the newly launched projects would enhance regional connectivity, boost gas-based transport, and reinforce Durgapur's identity as a Steel City, creating numerous employment opportunities for the local youth.
BJP-TMC false Fight: Congress, CPM
Both the Congress and the CPI(M) on Friday said that PM Modi's attack on the TMC was meant to help each other in the Assembly elections due next year. 'For the last five years, no BJP leader was seen in Bengal. Now, they are coming again for votes. They are basically helping the TMC here,' said CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty. Senior Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury said that as the polls are nearing, Bengal would witness an 'artificial fight' between PM Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. ENS
Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics.
With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences.
Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal.
Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More
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