Lok Sabha 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered scathing criticism against the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal during consecutive rallies, accusing the party of engaging in corruption and practicing politics of appeasement. He went on to allege that the TMC has marginalized Hindus, treating them as “second-class citizens” in the state.
During rallies in Bardhaman-Durgapur and Krishnanagar on May 3, the Prime Minister criticized the TMC government for showing “apathy” towards the victims in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas. He highlighted allegations of sexual abuse involving leaders of the ruling party, condemning their lack of action and accountability in addressing the issue.
PM Modi criticized the state government for its alleged appeasement politics, claiming that the main accused in the Sandeshkhali case, identified as Shajahan Sheikh, was not apprehended due to this policy. He lamented the atrocities committed against women in the area and expressed disappointment that the TMC had reportedly shielded the main accused until the end.
पूरा देश देख रहा है कि गुरुदेव टैगोर की पावन धरती पर TMC भीड़तंत्र चला रही है, गणतंत्र की उसने कब्र खोद दी है। pic.twitter.com/fdfAahlCR7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2024
Furthermore, PM Modi questioned the treatment of Hindus as “second-class citizens” in Bengal, citing reported remarks by TMC MLA Humayun Kabir about “throwing Hindus in the Bhagirathi River.”
The Prime Minister expressed concern over the perceived marginalization of Hindus in Bengal, referencing a recent statement by a TMC MLA about throwing Hindus into the Bhagirathi River. He questioned the political motivations behind such actions, pondering whether appeasement outweighs humanity for the TMC.
Additionally, Modi raised suspicions about the purpose of the arms and ammunition seized in Sandeshkhali, questioning whether they were intended to serve the interests of democracy in the state. In response to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s allegations of the weapons being planted by central agencies, Modi expressed skepticism about the credibility of such claims.
The TMC leader alleged that the CBI raid was orchestrated by the central government to undermine the West Bengal government’s credibility during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking at an election rally on April 27, Mamata Banerjee suggested that the seizure of arms and ammunition may have been fabricated, questioning the authenticity of their discovery. She insinuated that the items could have been planted by the CBI themselves, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the operation.