People expected 'mamta' from Mamata, but got 'nirmamta': Modi

Asks why CM not uttered a word on international conspirators out to malign India

Change is what WB needs: PM

Bengal needs a double-engine government to end the era of corruption and extortion. The malaise will end only when Bengal witnesses real poribartan (change)”: PM

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday set the tone for the forthcoming Bengal elections, saying the ruling TMC was another version of the Left rule and the state needed “real change to end the ongoing reign of corruption and extortion”.

Launching a searing attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from Haldia, the stronghold of TMC turncoat Suvendhu Adhikari, now in the BJP, the PM said Bengal’s politics was responsible for its lack of development. He slammed the reigns of the Congress, Left and the TMC for “signature corruption and lack of growth.”

“In 2011 people trusted Mamata when she promised change. Mamta ki apeksha thi, nirmamta ke shikaar ho gaye (people sought empathy but got cruelty). In the very first year of her government, it was clear that Bengal had not changed but seen a rebirth of the Left rule along with interest,” said a combative PM accusing the TMC government of “institutionalising corruption, criminalising politics and politicising administration and the police.”

The PM said the days of TMC’s “extortion syndicate” were numbered as the people had decided to bid adieu to Didi.

Accusing Mamata of blocking a range of central benefits to the people of the state – from disbursement of cash to 25 lakh farmers under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Ayushman Bharat’s Rs 5 lakh free hospitalisation cover annually for poor families to the National Education Policy and the provisions of the seventh Central Pay Commission – the PM said genuine Trinamool leaders who were fed up with the “dynastic politics of Mamata had joined the BJP to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”

The PM warned the people against the strategic alliance of the TMC, Left and the Congress in Bengal and said, “Every vote for the Left and Congress will be a vote for corruption.”

He also questioned the CM for silence on the “ongoing international conspiracy to defame India” and said, “These days a global conspiracy is unfolding to malign India. Have you ever seen Didi utter a word against that? Even those who ruled India for decades (read the Congress) are backing the conspirators. But India will give a befitting reply to them,” the PM said amid global celebrities tweeting in favour of Indian farmers’ protests.

The PM also blamed the opposition for hypocrisy on the farmers’ issues, saying if voted to power the BJP government would, in the first Cabinet meeting, approve the entire dues of farmers under PM Kisan Nidhi.

The PM also launched projects worth Rs 5,000 crore in Bengal today.

He earlier addressed a rally in poll-bound Assam’s Sonitpur and assured Asaam’s continued transformation under the BJP rule.