Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday criticised the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, accusing it of pursuing “vote-bank politics” and extending support to groups he described as anti-national.
Addressing a large BJP public meeting in Siliguri, Modi said the Centre is upgrading the Siliguri corridor to strengthen connectivity between the Northeast and the rest of India. He alleged that small groups have threatened to disrupt the corridor with the aim of isolating the Northeast.
Modi claimed the Trinamool Congress has backed such groups “from the streets to Parliament” and said this reflected the party’s “true face”. He further alleged that the party’s 15-year rule has harmed the state in multiple ways.
The Prime Minister also accused the state government of obstructing key central programmes, claiming that less than 25% of central schemes have been implemented in West Bengal. He pointed to the allocation of Rs 6,000 crore for madrasa development, while alleging that comparatively little funding is set aside for broader state development, and said the party is against tribals, women and youth.
West Bengal has 294 assembly seats, with polling scheduled in two phases on April 23 and 29. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP are campaigning intensively ahead of the election.
