'Bengal people are tired of corruption and poor administration': PM Modi slams TMC ahead of state visit

Modi will address a rally in Alipurduar on Thursday. His public address is scheduled at 3 pm.

The Prime Minister on Wednesday wrote on X, "I will be addressing a BJP West Bengal public meeting in Alipurduar tomorrow afternoon.

"Over the last decade, the various schemes of the NDA Government have been greatly appreciated by the people of West Bengal. At the same time, they are tired of the corruption and poor administration of the TMC."

The visit has gained significance as West Bengal will heading to assembly elections in 2026.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which received a jolt in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in this state, will aim to unseat the Mamata Banerjee government, which is in power for three uninterrupted terms. 

This will be the Prime Minister's first visit since Operation Sindoor, a military action carried out by the Indian Armed Forces to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack.

The TMC, which is headed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has questioned the Prime Minister over the alleged funds that have been denied to the state.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose said, "It’s good that PM Narendra Modi is visiting Bengal. But the real question is, why is Bengal’s rightful due of ₹1.7 lakh crore still being withheld? Why is the Centre deliberately depriving Bengal and treating us like second-class citizens?"

Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.

On Pakistan's appeal, India responded with a ceasefire on May 10 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of fresh retaliation if Islamabad goes astray.