During a public rally in Durgapur, West Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing criticism of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of widespread misgovernance and corruption. Speaking directly to BJP workers and supporters, PM Modi described the TMC’s rule as one characterized by “lies, lawlessness and loot”, and urged the people of Bengal to bring about change.
Modi asserted that the public’s trust in the BJP is growing and that the people of Bengal, once again, are placing their hopes in the party. Highlighting the adverse economic impact under the current state leadership, he pointed to youth migration and industrial decline as major concerns.
“Today the youth of West Bengal is forced to migrate to other states. Even for small works, the youth has to go to other states,” the Prime Minister said, drawing attention to the growing unemployment in the Mamata Banerjee-led state.
He further criticized the state’s industrial environment, remarking:
“Today, instead of new industries coming here, the old ones are being shut down. We have to bring Bengal out of this bad phase.”
PM Modi accused the TMC of becoming an obstruction in West Bengal’s progress, alleging that the state’s leadership is not allowing development initiatives to take root.
Major Infrastructure Push in West Bengal
Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for key development projects in the oil & gas, power, rail, and road sectors, with a total investment exceeding ₹5,400 crore.
Among the major announcements:
The City Gas Distribution (CGD) project by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) was launched for Bankura and Purulia districts, with an investment of around ₹1,950 crore. This project aims to supply PNG to households and CNG to commercial and industrial users.
He also dedicated the 132 km-long Durgapur to Kolkata section of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, part of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga (PMUG) project. Valued at over ₹1,190 crore, the pipeline passes through Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Nadia districts, enhancing the state’s clean energy infrastructure.
Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated the Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems installed at Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, both under Damodar Valley Corporation. These pollution-control systems have been developed at a cost of over ₹1,457 crore, aligning with the Centre’s push toward sustainable energy.
Political Undertones and BJP’s Bengal Strategy
The Prime Minister’s remarks were not just focused on development but carried a strong political message. With an eye on upcoming elections, he framed the TMC and Mamata as a roadblock to progress and urged voters to bring in a government that can ensure employment, industrial revival, and governance free from corruption.
His message, “Remove TMC, Save Bengal”, resonated throughout his address, clearly positioning the BJP as a credible alternative to the current state leadership.
