Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, launched an all-out attack on TMC Chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while addressing an election rally in Mathurapur, West Bengal, which goes to polls on May 19 during the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Referring to the Narada and Saradha scams, PM Modi said that it was the TMC workers who started the violence during BJP President Amit Shah’s roadshow and vandalized the bust of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
“TMC goons spread violence, they vandalised the statue of Vidyasagar. The CCTV cameras were installed there, but the way the state government erased evidence of the Narada and Saradha scams, it is trying to remove the evidence of the incident. I demand that strict action should be taken against those responsible for the violence and acts of vandalism,” said the PM.
He touched upon the issues of Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja in the state, subtly suggesting that under the Mamata administration, the celebration of these two festivals has become difficult for the people of the state. He added Lord Ram to his rhetoric.
“There is a problem here regarding Durga Puja and Saraswati Puja, and now saying Jai Sri Ram has become a crime. People of Bengal were troubled by these things since a few years. Who brought these issues on a national platform? Which party has become the voice of Bengal today, it’s BJP,” said PM Modi.
PM Modi urged the people to vote for a strong government. He claimed that West Bengal voters will help BJP cross the 300 mark in terms of Lok Sabha seats.
Targeting the TMC, he said the way party goons have unleashed violence for the past few days has brought a bad name to democracy. He also accused that the TMC workers broke the statue of Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar.
“They broke the statue of Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, the great educationist and social reformer. This clearly shows to what extent can Didi (Mamata Banerjee) can go to get votes.
“Wherever Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar would be, must be watching which party is fighting for the pride of Bengal and who is supporting infiltrators,” said the Prime Minister.
He also raised the issue of BJP activist and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) member Priyanka Sharma, who was arrested on May 10 and remanded to 14 days judicial custody after she was accused of uploading and sharing a morphed picture of Mamata Banerjee which had her face photoshopped on Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra’s Met Gala look.
“Didi, you send the children and daughters of Bengal to prison but have given free hand to infiltrators and smugglers. You are not concerned about the people of Bengal. You are so power drunk that you don’t consider the Prime Minister of India as your prime minister but are never tired of praising the Pakistan Prime Minister,” said PM Modi.
The PM also mentioned her nephew Abhishek Banerjee who is the Member of Parliament from Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency.
“Together with her nephew, she has kept a syndicate of gangsters and smugglers who have made life difficult for the people and have put a speed breaker on the development of West Bengal.
“You, the people, have to remember only one thing, just quietly press the lotus button. Clear the TMC from every booth,” said PM Modi.