KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government, claiming the “arrogance” of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) was shattered in the first phase of polling.
Addressing an election rally at Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district, Modi said the second phase would ensure a decisive victory for the BJP in the state. He alleged that people had been severely affected and pointed to issues such as misuse of land and forced displacement.
He said the state government had failed on these fronts. Modi added that the BJP’s priority was farmers’ welfare and that the party understood the concerns of both farmers and workers.
Highlighting steps taken by the BJP-led government over the past 11 years, he said the minimum support price for jute had been doubled. He also said jute procurement had been tripled, the use of 100% jute packaging for wheat and rice had been made mandatory, and a ban on single-use plastics had been imposed to boost demand.
Modi said these measures would help jute mills in West Bengal receive maximum orders, but alleged that the TMC’s “syndicate” was not allowing the mills to function. He said the TMC government would have to be voted out for the welfare of farmers in the state.
