Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned that “infiltrators” in West Bengal should leave the country by April 29, the day of polling for the second phase of the Assembly election in the state. He said those who do not comply would be expelled after May 4.
Addressing a BJP rally at Bongaon in North 24 Parganas, Modi alleged that under the Trinamool Congress government, everyone from politicians to “goons” behaves as if they are the administration. He also accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of shielding those who harass women.
Modi said that after May 4, a new BJP government in West Bengal would ensure that anti-social elements involved in sexual violence are brought before the law and punished. He cited the party’s decision to field candidates including Rekha Patra from Sandeshkhali and the mother of a woman doctor linked to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital incident as a sign of its stance on women’s safety.
West Bengal’s 294 Assembly seats are being contested in two phases. The first phase was held on April 23 for 152 constituencies, while the remaining 142 constituencies will vote on April 29, with campaigning set to end at 6 pm on Sunday.
Modi also claimed that the first phase saw record turnout of over 93%, which he said had dented the TMC’s confidence, and asserted that the second phase would confirm the BJP’s victory in the state.
