‘Fight to save Bengal’s soul’: Modi launches blistering attack on TMC at Kolkata rally

Addressing a massive rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, Modi said the TMC government was staring at a political exit, expressing confidence that the BJP would win the upcoming Assembly elections.

“This time, the elections will not be fought merely to change the government, but to save the soul of Bengal and establish a system free from extortion and fear,” he said.

“The days of the TMC’s alleged hooliganism are coming to an end. The countdown for the TMC government to leave power has begun. Once a BJP government is formed in Bengal, on one hand we will move forward with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, and on the other, ‘Sabka Hisab’—meaning everyone will be held accountable,” the Prime Minister added.

Modi also alleged that a demographic shift driven by infiltration was underway in West Bengal and claimed Bengali Hindus were being pushed towards minority status in several parts of the state.

“Over the past decades, the demography of many areas in Bengal has changed. Bengali Hindus are being deliberately pushed into a minority,” he said.

“Those opposing the SIR process are doing so to ensure that the names of infiltrators remain on the voter list. They are not even willing to remove the names of people who have already died,” he said, attacking the ruling party amid its ongoing dispute with the Election Commission of India over the voter revision exercise.

Without naming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Modi on Saturday slammed her recent controversial remark where she warned people facing a backlash from a particular community if TMC is unseated.

“Open threats are being issued, with claims that people from a particular community will unite to wipe others out. Such statements, especially when made from positions of constitutional authority, about eliminating crores of Bengali people are deeply inappropriate. I want to ask who these people are who, allegedly at the behest of the TMC government, will wipe out crores of people,” he said.

Modi also appeared to respond to comments by TMC MP Mahua Moitra, who had controversially said that voters not supporting the TMC were “not true Bengalis”.

“They even claim that those who do not vote for the TMC are not ‘true Bengalis’. People are threatened with the denial of government facilities if they refuse to support the TMC,” the Prime Minister said without naming her.

Addressing the rally, which drew a massive turnout, Modi further accused the state government of disrespecting President Droupadi Murmu, who had recently expressed displeasure over Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s absence from a government programme.

“Just a few days ago, the President of our country, the respected daughter of the Adivasi community, Hon’ble Droupadi Murmu, visited Bengal. She was scheduled to attend a sacred festival of the Santhal Adivasi tradition.

“However, this government, allegedly driven by arrogance, boycotted the event and allowed it to descend into chaos. Because a daughter of the Adivasi community holds such a high office, the TMC leaders could not accept the honour accorded to her,” Modi said.

The rally was held just days before the Election Commission of India is expected to announce the schedule for the West Bengal Assembly elections.