Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress while addressing a rally in Siliguri, alleging that the party's focus on appeasement politics is reflected in the state's budgetary allocations.
"The Trinamool Congress government had allotted Rs 6,000 crore for madrasa education development. However, the state government's budgetary allocations for North Bengal, which is the gateway to Northeast India, are virtually zero. This proves that the entire focus of the Trinamool Congress-ruled government in West Bengal is just appeasement politics and to please a particular community," the Prime Minister said while addressing a campaign rally at Siliguri of Darjeeling district in North Bengal.
The Prime Minister also referred to events from October last year, highlighting what he described as neglect of North Bengal during a time of crisis.
"During that time when the entire North Bengal was devastated, the Trinamool government was celebrating a festival in Kolkata. Trinamool Congress is an anti-North Bengal, anti-tribal, anti-tea garden, anti-women, and anti-youth party. So, this time change is needed in West Bengal," he said.
He further alleged that the party supports divisive elements. "There is a 'Tukde-Tukde gang' in India, which has recently threatened to cut off the Siliguri Corridor. Trinamool Congress leadership at all levels supports such gangs. This is their real character. Only a BJP-led government can protect the Siliguri Corridor and thus ensure the safety of the country," he added.
PM Modi also accused the state government of obstructing the implementation of Central welfare schemes and raised concerns about illegal infiltration.
"Because of the illegal infiltrators, who are pampered by the state's ruling party, the overall development of West Bengal is facing hindrances. The local people are losing jobs because of these infiltrators. This needs to be stopped. So let the lotus bloom in West Bengal this time and enable us to drive away the illegal infiltrators from the state. The days will change for the better automatically," he said.
"You have allowed the Left Front to rule you for 34 years. Then you gave Trinamool Congress three consecutive chances. Now give us a chance. Give PM Modi a chance to protect women, create jobs, establish the rule of law, provide free medical treatment to the poor, and save Bengali culture from appeasement," he added.