Sunday 22 / December / 2024
Kharagpur (West Bengal): Kickstarting his West Bengal poll campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mounted a blistering attack on Trinamool Congress over corruption charges against it and also on CPI-M and Congress for their alliance in West Bengal but as rivals in poll-bound Kerala.
Observing that no industry was coming up in Bengal in the last five years and that the only one flourishing in it is the "bomb making industry", Modi said the only change seen in the last five years in Bengal is in the attitude of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"She behaves like a 'Shahenshah'(emperor ) these days," he said, as he accused her of failing to bring about any change in the state.
Modi while hitting hit out at the ruling TMC on the issue of corruption from "Saradha (scam) to Narada (sting operation)", alleged that its leaders are reportedly asking when will they get the "next instalment" of bribe.
"I want to ask the people of Bengal did they vote in favour of corruption? Have the people formed the government for the sake of corruption? First Saradha then Narada (sting operation). The entire (TMC) leadership in front of the camera seen taking bribe, asking when will they get the next instalment," he said.
"It was the money of the people which is being looted, Modi said, adding, "We (BJP government) are also in power in Delhi for nearly two years. Have you ever heard of any scam? We would prefer to starve than loot the money of the masses."
The 34-year-long Left regime had "destroyed" Bengal and the TMC in the last five years have broken the aspirations of the masses and their dreams, he said.
"They (TMC) have ruined Bengal," he added, as he sought people's support for BJP for once.
"Five years back I had thought that there will be change in Bengal but our aspirations have failed," the prime minister said, adding no industry was coming up in Bengal and the only one flourishing in it is the "bomb making industry".
"The state government is not taking offence to this (bomb making) industry. You can't win the hearts of the masses by blasts and using goons. The people will give a befitting reply as you have betrayed the masses," Modi said.
Modi while launching a scathing attack on the Left and Congress said they are "challenging and insulting" the wisdom of Bengalis by coming together in West Bengal but fighting each other in Kerala.
"Congress and Communists have challenged the wisdom of Bengal and Bengalis will not spare anyone who tries so. Communists and Congress are contesting in Kerala and Bengal. While they are fighting and baying for each other in Kerala, they are playing a game behind the curtains in Bengal. In Kerala they do wrestling and in Bengal, they do friendship. This is a challenge to the wisdom of Bengalis. "Are they not challenging the wisdom of Bengal and insulting that? Is it not an insult of Bengal's self respect? This is an insult of Bengalis. If they had the courage, they should have admitted that they are opportunists and are only hungry for power and have nothing to do with Kerala or Bengal," he said.
Criticising the CPI-M-Congress alliance in Bengal, Modi accused the two parties of trying to fool the people of both Bengal and Kerala. The two parties are fighting against each other in Kerala and have forged an alliance in Bengal, he said adding "They should have the guts to accept that they are not at all interested about the people of Kerala and Bengal but only in power."
"They should accept that they are opportunists and only want power," Modi said.
The prime minister said he had a three point agenda for the development of Bengal and "The agenda is development, development at a fast pace and development everywhere."
Modi said the CPI-M and Congress are trying to insult the people of Bengal by their different stands in the state and in Kerala.
Launching a broadside at the three major political parties in the state, he said "TMC, Congress and Communists have forged an alliance to stop BJP in Bengal. The Left and Congress did not carry out any movement against TMC. It is BJP which has lost workers and faced trouble as it is fighting TMC."
Modi said his government has proved that corruption can be controlled if there is a will.
"The solution to every problem is development. The previous government in Delhi (centre) had its hands painted black in coal block scam. But after we came to power we did coal block auction with transparency. It brought a lot of money in Indian exchequer," he said.
Modi also took a dig at claims made by Mamata Banerjee about providing rice at Rs 2 per kg to poor people.
"We provide a subsidy of Rs 27 per kg for the poor. And Didi claims she is providing the subsidy," he said.
Appealing to the people to give BJP a chance to form a government in the state, Modi said "This destruction and devastation can't help the youth of Bengal. Vote for BJP to turnaround Bengal."
