Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday shared a message in Bengali ahead of the phase 2 polling in West Bengal, scheduled to take place on April 29. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Prime Minister said that from youth to farmers, everyone is working together for a ‘Vikasito Bengla’. Polling in phase 2 of Bengal will take place in 142 constituencies.
In his message, Prime Minister Modi said, “My dear family members in West Bengal, this festival of democracy has brought before you a golden opportunity to hoist the flag of BJP’s victory. I am certain that on 29 April, you will set a new record in voting. In this historic moment, I have expressed my sentiments through an audio message…”
“Throughout the entire election campaign in West Bengal, the boundless love and blessings I have received from my family members have filled me with a new strength. Be it the youth power or the women’s power here, our farmer brothers and sisters, workers or businessmen – everyone is resolute in building a ‘Vikasito Bangla’. In this letter, I have expressed my sentiments towards them,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi’s Mega Rally in Barrackpore
Earlier today, PM Modi exuded confidence that the BJP would form the next government in West Bengal after the assembly polls, asserting that he would return to the state after May 4 for the oath-taking ceremony.
Addressing a rally at Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district on the final day of campaigning for the second and last phase of the assembly elections, Modi sharpened the BJP’s pitch against the ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing it of presiding over “syndicate raj”, political violence, infiltration and economic decline.
“Wherever I have gone in West Bengal, I have observed the mood of the people. I am returning with the conviction that after May 4, I will have to return to attend the BJP government’s swearing-in ceremony,” Modi said, drawing cheers.
Invoking the historical significance of Barrackpore, he said the region had played a role in India’s first war of Independence in 1857 and was now preparing the ground for change in West Bengal.
Calling the election crucial for the future of eastern India, the prime minister said West Bengal’s progress was inseparable from India’s rise and that the eastern region must regain its historical strength.
“In the past, when India was prosperous, it had three strong pillars — Anga, Banga and Kalinga – today’s Bihar, Bengal and Odisha. When these three pillars weakened, it dealt a blow to India’s strength. The nation’s rise is incomplete without the rise of the East,” he said.
Bengal’s Turn For ‘Lotus to Bloom’
Drawing parallels with recent BJP gains in neighbouring states, Modi said after Bihar and Odisha, it was now West Bengal’s turn for the “lotus to bloom”.
“Bihar and Odisha have bloomed the lotus, and now it’s West Bengal’s turn. The atmosphere I am seeing here makes it certain,” he said.
“My destiny and responsibility are to serve, secure and save West Bengal,” he said.
Launching a sharp attack on the TMC government, Modi alleged that the party had reduced governance to intimidation, abuse and lies.
“TMC’s only strategy seems to be hurling abuses, issuing threats and spreading lies. They have targeted me, constitutional institutions and even the armed forces with derogatory remarks. Yet not one TMC leader has given an account of what they have done in 15 years,” he said.
Claiming that industries were collapsing while criminal networks thrived, Modi said “jungle raj” has ushered in the state.
“On one hand, mills that provided employment are shutting down, while on the other, factories producing crude bombs are flourishing. Goons are getting jobs and TMC’s syndicate is expanding. This is their jungle law,” he alleged. He said the TMC had abandoned the very slogan on which it came to power.
Referring to Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Modi said Bengal had laid the political foundation for the Jana Sangh and that the BJP had already fulfilled one of Mookerjee’s major ideological commitments by abrogating Article 370.
With inputs from PTI
