At a massive rally in Kolkata’s Brigade Ground, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the people of West Bengal to vote out the dynasts who have kept the progress of the state and the nation hostage due to their policies and politics.
Slamming both the Congress and the ruling Trinamool Congress government in the state for asking for proof of Balakot airstrike, the PM said that the “some people have started insulting the country in their quest to demean Modi at a time when we are moving towards realising the dream of Swami Vivekananda”.
“Who called the ASAT test ‘a drama’? Who said ‘show me the bodies of terrorists’? Who was committing the sin of asking proof from soldiers? Is this not an insult of CRPF martyrs Sudip Biswas and Bablu Santra?” the PM said referring to the two troopers from West Bengal who were among those killed in the 14 February Pulwama terror attack.
The PM said that the “anti-India language” used by the opposition leaders is out of their fear that their political ground is shaking.
Addressing the massive turnout of BJP supporters, the PM said that it is not that the country developed its capabilities only in the last 5 years.
“Our soldiers had the ability to carry out airstrike and surgical strike. Our scientists had the ability to carry out ASAT test. What was lacking was the previous government’s intent and courage,” the PM said, adding that the credit of the successes goes to the people who voted his government to power.
Drawing a parallel between the political climate in West Bengal and Tripura under Left rule, the PM said that it is the BJP government in the northeastern state that has fulfilled a long-standing demand of state government employees by implementing the 7th pay commission.
Urging the people to vote for his party, the PM assured that there will be “no tolagiri and no gundagiri in Bengal”.
“We will create a Bengal which will be free from goondaism of Left and TMC,” he said as the sea of supporters waved party flags.
“Bengal is getting crushed under Bua-Bhatija,” he said referring to Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.
In a furious charge at the Congress over the grand old party’s promise to review the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, the PM said, “Those who ruled over India for 60 years are saying that they will remove the armour of the defence forces.”
Calling the Congress manifesto a ‘dhakosla patra’ (deceptive document), the PM asked whether such promises won’t help Pakistan.
He said that the Congress has been bowing to terror and going soft on them for years citing the repealing of the TADA and POTA laws by Congress governments.
“Don’t forget that Congress has been making false promises in the name of action against Naxalism. Now they have openly come out in support of the terrorists,” he said.
The PM said that his government is removing AFSPA only from places where the “situation is improving”, but Congress’ promise will adversely impact the morale of the soldiers.
Making his poll pitch, the PM said that the “Chowkidar is standing between national security and Congress’ ploys”.
The PM also took a jibe at the dynasty politics of the Congress stating that “parivar tantra crushed prajatantra (democracy) in its over 50-year-rule since Independence”.
The PM further slammed opposition parties for their clarion call of “Modi hatao” (remove Modi) that they made at the same venue on 19 January.
“Why ‘hatao’? What crime has Modi committed? Is it a crime to give homes, toilets, cooking gas, electricity and free healthcare to the poor? If it is then I have done these crimes,” the PM said.
Promising to build a grander India and calling on people to vote for his party, the PM said that Bengal is a land of patriots and it will free itself from the shackles of dynasty politics just like it ignited the flame of freedom from British rule.
This was the second rally in West Bengal addressed by the PM in a one day. Earlier today, he addressed a mega gathering at Siliguri in North Bengal, where he launched a scathing attack on Mamata Banerjee.
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The West Bengal Chief Minister, on the other hand, will be addressing a rally later today in Cooch Behar where she is expected to give a response to the PM’s remarks.