‘Lawlessness, corruption, atrocities against women...’: PM Modi attacks TMC govt; Mamata Banerjee hits back

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Alipurduar in north Bengal on Thursday where he attended a government event which was followed by a BJP rally. He was initially scheduled to visit Sikkim before arriving in Alipurduar. But, due to bad weather, he addressed the people of the northeastern state virtually.

The prime minister began his Alipurduar visit by inaugurating a City Gas Distribution project worth ₹1,010 crore. It will provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to over 2.5 lakh households across Alipurduar and Cooch Behar districts and set up 19 CNG stations.

Following a short address in this event, PM Modi turned to the public rally where his speech had a usual political undertone to it as he attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal.

The focus of his address seemed to be the Mamata Banerjee government’s unwillingness to implement several central schemes. “Many major central schemes are not implemented in this state. The Ayushman Bharat scheme was not allowed to be launched here,” he said.

PM Modi continued, “Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, many people in West Bengal could have received homes. But that too was blocked. This ruthless government here did not allow it to happen.”

He also appealed to various voter groups, including dalits, Adivasis, and women, claiming that TMC government was depriving them of their rights by restricting the benefits of central schemes. He also alleged that the TMC had opposed President Droupadi Murmu’s candidacy.

Modi was also seen attacking the state government over the alleged communal incidents in Malda and Murshidabad districts during the Waqf protests in April. He then called out the state government over the SSC teacher recruitment scam.

“Bengal is going through several crises. First, violence and lawlessness. Secondly, atrocities against mothers. Third is unemployment and fourth is corruption. The ruling party is doing politics by depriving the poor of their rights,” he said.

Modi concluded his speech in Alipurduar by highlighting Operation Sindoor. “The Indian Army has shown the true power of ‘Sindoor’ to those responsible,” he said, warning that any future attacks would be met with a heavy response. “We have struck inside their territory three times,” he added.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back though, accusing Modi of disrespecting the symbolism of sindoor, saying, “You are not everyone’s husband. Why are you not putting sindoor on your wife? I say this with great sadness.”

She criticised Modi for failing to arrest the terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack. She also took a jibe at him for cancelling his visit to Sikkim. The chief minister concluded by saying that the Army deserves genuine recognition, not just symbolic gestures.

Banerjee also accused Modi of overlooking Manipur and alleged that corruption in the BJP runs deeper. “When corruption is exposed, the government must take action. But when someone is caught spying for Pakistan in your Gujarat or Madhya Pradesh, what do you do,” she asked.

Countering PM Modi’s allegations of the West Bengal government not implementing the central schemes, she claimed that a due of ₹1.75 lakh crore is owed by the Centre to the state. She alleged that the BJP-led Union government is withholding funds meant for the MGNREGA and Bengal’s housing scheme.

“You only come to Bengal before elections because it’s safe now. You come here to mislead people, spread slander, and plot conspiracies,” Banerjee said.