In a sharp attack on the West Bengal government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the ruling Trinamool Congress of the state wants the money of the central scheme beneficiaries to come first into their leaders’ accounts.
Addressing an election rally in Jalpaiguri, Modi also accused the Mamata Banerjee government of “putting breaks” on the central government schemes.
“The TMC government here puts brakes on our development schemes. The central government sent Rs 30,000 crore for building houses of poor. Modi says that the money should directly go into the account of the beneficiary, but TMC says that the money should first come into their leader’s accounts. So, you tell you, how should I let TMC loot public money?,” he asked.
Modi reiterated his claim that the work his government has done in the last 10 years is just a “trailer”.
“Our government's schemes have made the lives of the poor easier. We have restored the poor's self-respect and increased their pride. The development work done by Modi in 10 years is just a trailer. We still have to take the country much further, we have to make India the third largest economic power in the world,” the prime minister said.
Modi raked up the Sandeshkhali incident and said the whole country is witness to the atrocities done by the West Bengal government.
“The whole country has seen what happened in Sandeshkhali. The atrocities inflicted on mothers and sisters. The court itself had to intervene in everything here, it’s the TMC syndicate that rules here. Shouldn’t those behind the incident, get the strictest punishment and their remaining life be spent behind bars?,” he asked.
Referring to the attack on the officials of the Enforcement Directorate and the National Investigation Agency in the state, the prime minister alleged that the TMC desires a free licence for corruption and violence in West Bengal, which is why central agencies investigating such cases face attacks in the state.
"The TMC government seeks to have a free pass for looting and terror in Bengal. To shield its extortionist and corrupt leaders, the TMC orchestrates attacks on central investigative agencies when they come here," he said.
An NIA team was allegedly attacked by a mob on Saturday when attempting to arrest two main suspects in a 2022 blast case in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district. Earlier in February, an ED team which arrived in Sandeshkhali to raid the premises of TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh was attacked by a mob.
"The TMC is disregarding the law and the constitution of the country," Modi said.
Seven-phase polling in West Bengal will be held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. Counting will be held on June 4.
